Oponer Conjugation in Spanish

The Spanish verb oponer means to oppose, and it is a verb you will use again and again once you know it. Oponer means to oppose, and it is used for opposing a plan, opposing an idea and putting up resistance. It follows the pattern of poner, with the present opongo, the preterite opuse and the irregular participle opuesto, and it is often used reflexively as oponerse. Like every Spanish verb, oponer changes its ending for each person and tense, and this page gives you the complete picture: every tense, every person, the gerund and the past participle, all from the verified conjugation tables. For example, in the present tense you say opongo resistencia al proyecto, and in the preterite you say opuse una objeción en la reunión. Work through the tables below, read the notes for each tense, and then test yourself with the examples, the common mistakes and the quiz at the end of the page.

Quick facts

  • Infinitive: oponer
  • English: to oppose
  • Verb type: irregular verb
  • Ending: -er
  • Gerund: oponiendo
  • Past participle: opuesto
  • Auxiliary verb: haber (all perfect tenses are formed with haber + opuesto)

Pronunciation is not listed on this page: the verified tables do not include IPA for oponer, so no pronunciation is given rather than an invented one. Oponer follows poner: the present is opongo, the preterite is opuse, and the participle is opuesto.

Full conjugation tables

Every form below comes from the verified conjugation tables for oponer. The imperfect subjunctive is shown in its -ra forms; the -se forms use the same stem. For reflexive verbs, the pronoun column shows the reflexive pronoun that goes before each form.

Present indicative

Person Form
yo opongo
tú opones
él/ella/Ud. opone
nosotros/as oponemos
vosotros/as oponéis
ellos/ellas/Uds. oponen

Preterite

Person Form
yo opuse
tú opusiste
él/ella/Ud. opuso
nosotros/as opusimos
vosotros/as opusisteis
ellos/ellas/Uds. opusieron

Imperfect

Person Form
yo oponía
tú oponías
él/ella/Ud. oponía
nosotros/as oponíamos
vosotros/as oponíais
ellos/ellas/Uds. oponían

Future

Person Form
yo opondré
tú opondrás
él/ella/Ud. opondrá
nosotros/as opondremos
vosotros/as opondréis
ellos/ellas/Uds. opondrán

Conditional

Person Form
yo opondría
tú opondrías
él/ella/Ud. opondría
nosotros/as opondríamos
vosotros/as opondríais
ellos/ellas/Uds. opondrían

Present perfect

Person Form
yo he opuesto
tú has opuesto
él/ella/Ud. ha opuesto
nosotros/as hemos opuesto
vosotros/as habéis opuesto
ellos/ellas/Uds. han opuesto

Pluperfect

Person Form
yo había opuesto
tú habías opuesto
él/ella/Ud. había opuesto
nosotros/as habíamos opuesto
vosotros/as habíais opuesto
ellos/ellas/Uds. habían opuesto

Future perfect

Person Form
yo habré opuesto
tú habrás opuesto
él/ella/Ud. habrá opuesto
nosotros/as habremos opuesto
vosotros/as habréis opuesto
ellos/ellas/Uds. habrán opuesto

Conditional perfect

Person Form
yo habría opuesto
tú habrías opuesto
él/ella/Ud. habría opuesto
nosotros/as habríamos opuesto
vosotros/as habríais opuesto
ellos/ellas/Uds. habrían opuesto

Present subjunctive

Person Form
yo oponga
tú opongas
él/ella/Ud. oponga
nosotros/as opongamos
vosotros/as opongáis
ellos/ellas/Uds. opongan

Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)

Person Form
yo opusiera
tú opusieras
él/ella/Ud. opusiera
nosotros/as opusiéramos
vosotros/as opusierais
ellos/ellas/Uds. opusieran

Imperative (affirmative)

Person Form
tú opón
él/ella/Ud. oponga
nosotros/as opongamos
vosotros/as oponed
ellos/ellas/Uds. opongan

Imperative (negative)

Person Form
tú opongas
él/ella/Ud. oponga
nosotros/as opongamos
vosotros/as opongáis
ellos/ellas/Uds. opongan

Gerund and past participle

Form Spanish Use
Gerund oponiendo with estar for the progressive: estoy oponiendo
Past participle opuesto with haber for the perfect tenses: he opuesto

How to use each tense

Present indicative

Use the present for routines, general facts and what is happening right now. This tense is irregular for this verb: it follows the pattern of poner, with a -g- in the present (as in compongo), a -s- stem in the preterite (as in compuse), and an irregular participle (as in compuesto). Learn the forms in the table rather than guessing them from the infinitive. For oponer, the present looks like this in a real sentence: Opongo resistencia al proyecto. Learn the present forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.

Preterite

Use the preterite for finished actions with a clear end, often with ayer, el año pasado or anoche. This tense is irregular for this verb: it follows the pattern of poner, with a -g- in the present (as in compongo), a -s- stem in the preterite (as in compuse), and an irregular participle (as in compuesto). Learn the forms in the table rather than guessing them from the infinitive. For oponer, the preterite looks like this in a real sentence: Ayer, opuse su opinión a la propuesta. Learn the preterite forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.

Imperfect

Use the imperfect for background, habits and actions in progress in the past, often with de niño, antes or mientras. For this verb the tense is regular, so the forms follow the standard endings for its verb class. For oponer, the imperfect looks like this in a real sentence: De niño, oponía una objeción en la reunión. Learn the imperfect forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.

Future

Use the future for plans, predictions and promises, often with mañana, el año que viene or pronto. This tense is irregular for this verb: it follows the pattern of poner, with a -g- in the present (as in compongo), a -s- stem in the preterite (as in compuse), and an irregular participle (as in compuesto). Learn the forms in the table rather than guessing them from the infinitive. For oponer, the future looks like this in a real sentence: Mañana, opondré fuerza a la decisión. Learn the future forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.

Conditional

Use the conditional for polite requests, hypotheticals and what would happen, often with si clauses. This tense is irregular for this verb: it follows the pattern of poner, with a -g- in the present (as in compongo), a -s- stem in the preterite (as in compuse), and an irregular participle (as in compuesto). Learn the forms in the table rather than guessing them from the infinitive. For oponer, the conditional looks like this in a real sentence: Opondría resistencia al proyecto si pudiera. Learn the conditional forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.

Present perfect

Use the present perfect for recent actions and experiences, often with hoy, esta semana or ya. This tense is irregular for this verb only because the past participle is opuesto, not the regular form — the auxiliary haber is completely regular. For oponer, the present perfect looks like this in a real sentence: Hoy, he opuesto su opinión a la propuesta. Learn the present perfect forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.

Pluperfect

Use the pluperfect when one past action happened before another past action. This tense is irregular for this verb only because the past participle is opuesto, not the regular form — the auxiliary haber is completely regular. For oponer, the pluperfect looks like this in a real sentence: Había opuesto una objeción en la reunión antes de salir. Learn the pluperfect forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.

Future perfect

Use the future perfect for something that will already be finished by a future time. This tense is irregular for this verb only because the past participle is opuesto, not the regular form — the auxiliary haber is completely regular. For oponer, the future perfect looks like this in a real sentence: Para mañana, habré opuesto fuerza a la decisión. Learn the future perfect forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.

Conditional perfect

Use the conditional perfect for what would have happened under different conditions. This tense is irregular for this verb only because the past participle is opuesto, not the regular form — the auxiliary haber is completely regular. For oponer, the conditional perfect looks like this in a real sentence: Habría opuesto resistencia al proyecto con más tiempo. Learn the conditional perfect forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.

Present subjunctive

Use the present subjunctive after expressions of wish, doubt, emotion and hope, such as espero que or quiero que. This tense is irregular for this verb: it follows the pattern of poner, with a -g- in the present (as in compongo), a -s- stem in the preterite (as in compuse), and an irregular participle (as in compuesto). Learn the forms in the table rather than guessing them from the infinitive. For oponer, the present subjunctive looks like this in a real sentence: Espero que él oponga su opinión a la propuesta. Learn the present subjunctive forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.

Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)

Use the imperfect subjunctive after past wishes and in si clauses about the past, and note the -ra forms shown here; the -se forms use the same stem. This tense is irregular for this verb: it follows the pattern of poner, with a -g- in the present (as in compongo), a -s- stem in the preterite (as in compuse), and an irregular participle (as in compuesto). Learn the forms in the table rather than guessing them from the infinitive. For oponer, the imperfect subjunctive looks like this in a real sentence: Si él opusiera una objeción en la reunión, todo cambiaría. Learn the imperfect subjunctive forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.

Imperative (affirmative)

Use the affirmative imperative for direct commands, instructions and invitations. This tense is irregular for this verb: it follows the pattern of poner, with a -g- in the present (as in compongo), a -s- stem in the preterite (as in compuse), and an irregular participle (as in compuesto). Learn the forms in the table rather than guessing them from the infinitive. For oponer, the affirmative imperative looks like this in a real sentence: ¡Opón fuerza a la decisión! Learn the affirmative imperative forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.

Imperative (negative)

Use the negative imperative, always with no, to tell someone not to do something. This tense is irregular for this verb: it follows the pattern of poner, with a -g- in the present (as in compongo), a -s- stem in the preterite (as in compuse), and an irregular participle (as in compuesto). Learn the forms in the table rather than guessing them from the infinitive. For oponer, the negative imperative looks like this in a real sentence: No opongas resistencia al proyecto. Learn the negative imperative forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.

Example sentences

Ten natural sentences with oponer, covering different tenses and persons. Each one uses a form from the tables above.

  1. Opongo resistencia al proyecto. — I oppose resistance to the project.
  2. Opone su opinión a la propuesta. — He/she opposes his opinion to the proposal.
  3. Ayer, opuse una objeción en la reunión. — Yesterday, I opposed an objection in the meeting.
  4. Antes, nosotros oponíamos fuerza a la decisión. — Before, we used to oppose force to the decision.
  5. Mañana, tú opondrás resistencia al proyecto. — Tomorrow, you will oppose resistance to the project.
  6. Yo opondría su opinión a la propuesta si tuviera más tiempo. — I would oppose his opinion to the proposal if I had more time.
  7. Él ha opuesto una objeción en la reunión. — He has opposed an objection in the meeting.
  8. Espero que él oponga fuerza a la decisión. — I hope he opposes force to the decision.
  9. Yo ya había opuesto resistencia al proyecto antes de salir. — I had already opposed resistance to the project before leaving.
  10. Ellos oponían su opinión a la propuesta cuando eran jóvenes. — They used to oppose his opinion to the proposal when they were young.

Common mistakes

  1. Wrong: Yo opone resistencia al proyecto. — Right: Yo opongo resistencia al proyecto. — The person matters: opone is the él/ella/Ud. form, while the yo form is opongo. Using the third-person form with yo is one of the most common beginner errors.
  2. Wrong: Ayer yo oponí su opinión a la propuesta. — Right: Ayer yo opuse su opinión a la propuesta. — Oponer has an irregular preterite: the correct first-person form is opuse, not the regular oponí. Learn the preterite forms in the table as a set.
  3. Wrong: Treating oponer and apoyar as identical in every context. — Right: Oponer means to oppose, while apoyar means to support. — They overlap, but each has uses the other does not: oponer fits sentences such as Opongo resistencia al proyecto, while apoyar belongs in a different sentence. Check the meaning you want before choosing.
  4. Wrong: Yo soy opuesto su opinión a la propuesta. — Right: Yo he opuesto su opinión a la propuesta. — Spanish perfect tenses use haber, not ser: he opuesto, has opuesto, ha opuesto. Ser plus the participle makes a passive, not a perfect tense.
  5. Wrong: De niño, yo opuse una objeción en la reunión todos los días. — Right: De niño, yo oponía una objeción en la reunión todos los días. — For a repeated habit in the past, use the imperfect (oponía), not the preterite. The preterite (opuse) is for one finished action.

Quiz: test yourself

Ten questions on oponer. Choose the right form, then check the answer key below.

  1. Complete the sentence: Yo ___ resistencia al proyecto. (present tense) A. opongo B. opones C. opone D. oponemos

  2. Complete the sentence: Ayer, él ___ su opinión a la propuesta. (preterite) A. opuse B. opusiste C. opusieron D. opuso

  3. Complete the sentence: Antes, nosotros ___ una objeción en la reunión. (imperfect) A. oponías B. oponían C. oponíamos D. oponía

  4. Complete the sentence: Mañana, tú ___ fuerza a la decisión. (future) A. opondremos B. opondrás C. opondré D. opondrá

  5. Complete the sentence: Yo ___ resistencia al proyecto si pudiera. (conditional) A. opondría B. opondrías C. opondrían D. opongo

  6. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ su opinión a la propuesta. (present subjunctive) A. opongas B. opongamos C. opongo D. oponga

  7. Complete the sentence: Si yo ___ una objeción en la reunión, todo cambiaría. (imperfect subjunctive, -ra form) A. opusiéramos B. opongo C. opusiera D. opusieras

  8. Complete the sentence: Nosotros ___ fuerza a la decisión. (present perfect) A. han opuesto B. hemos opuesto C. he opuesto D. has opuesto

  9. Complete the command: ¡___ resistencia al proyecto! (affirmative imperative, tú) A. opón B. oponga C. opongamos D. oponed

  10. Which is the gerund of oponer, used with estar for the progressive? A. opuesto B. opongo C. opuse D. oponiendo

Answer key

  1. opongo — The first-person present of oponer is opongo. The other options are the tú, él/ella and nosotros forms.
  2. opuso — The third-person preterite of oponer is opuso, the form for a single finished action in the past.
  3. oponíamos — The nosotros imperfect of oponer is oponíamos, used here for a repeated past habit.
  4. opondrás — The second-person future of oponer is opondrás.
  5. opondría — The first-person conditional of oponer is opondría, the form for what would happen.
  6. oponga — After espero que, the subjunctive is required: the third-person present subjunctive of oponer is oponga.
  7. opusiera — The first-person imperfect subjunctive (-ra) of oponer is opusiera.
  8. hemos opuesto — The nosotros present perfect of oponer is hemos opuesto: hemos + opuesto.
  9. opón — The affirmative tú imperative of oponer is opón.
  10. oponiendo — The gerund of oponer is oponiendo: estoy oponiendo. The participle opuesto is used with haber instead.

Frequently asked questions

What does oponer mean in English?

Oponer means to oppose. It is used in everyday situations such as Opongo resistencia al proyecto. The exact English wording depends on the context, but the core meaning stays the same across the tenses.

Is oponer regular or irregular?

Oponer is irregular in present, preterite, future, conditional, present-subjunctive, imperfect-subjunctive, past-participle, present-perfect, pluperfect, future-perfect, conditional-perfect, imperative-affirmative, imperative-negative. The other tenses follow the regular pattern. Learn the irregular forms from the tables above rather than guessing them from the infinitive.

What is the difference between oponer and apoyar?

Oponer means to oppose, while apoyar means to support. They are easy to confuse because they appear in similar situations, but they are not interchangeable: use oponer when you mean to oppose, as in Opongo resistencia al proyecto, and use apoyar for to support. When in doubt, check the object of the sentence — it usually shows which verb fits.

How do I say “I oppose” in the past?

It depends on the kind of past. For one finished action, use the preterite: yo opuse su opinión a la propuesta. For a repeated habit or background in the past, use the imperfect: yo oponía una objeción en la reunión. For something that has just happened, use the present perfect: yo he opuesto su opinión a la propuesta.

How do I practise oponer?

Start with the present tense table, then drill the preterite and the imperfect, since those two past tenses cause the most mistakes. Try the oponer examples and quiz page for more sentences, and use the Spanish Verb Quiz to test the forms under pressure.

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