What does "en contra de" mean?
The phrase "en contra de" translates to "against" or "in opposition to." It is used to indicate disagreement, resistance, or opposition to something or someone. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
Examples
1.
Muchos están en contra de la nueva ley.
Many are against the new law. (presente de indicativo)
Many are against the new law. (presente de indicativo)
2.
¿Estás en contra de esta decisión?
Are you against this decision? (presente de indicativo — question)
Are you against this decision? (presente de indicativo — question)
3.
De joven, siempre estaba en contra de las reglas.
As a young person, I was always against the rules. (imperfecto de indicativo)
As a young person, I was always against the rules. (imperfecto de indicativo)
4.
Se manifestó en contra de la construcción del puente.
He protested against the construction of the bridge. (pretérito)
He protested against the construction of the bridge. (pretérito)
5.
Protestaré en contra de este proyecto.
I will protest against this project. (futuro)
I will protest against this project. (futuro)
6.
Renunciaría en contra de mis principios si fuera necesario.
I would resign against my principles if necessary. (condicional simple)
I would resign against my principles if necessary. (condicional simple)
7.
No creo que estén en contra de la propuesta.
I don't think they are against the proposal. (presente de subjuntivo)
I don't think they are against the proposal. (presente de subjuntivo)
8.
Me pidió que no estuviera en contra de su opinión.
She asked me not to be against her opinion. (imperfecto de subjuntivo)
She asked me not to be against her opinion. (imperfecto de subjuntivo)
9.
¿Has estado en contra de algo en los últimos años?
Have you been against something in recent years? (perfecto de indicativo)
Have you been against something in recent years? (perfecto de indicativo)
10.
Cuando llegué, ya habían protestado en contra de la decisión.
When I arrived, they had already protested against the decision. (pluscuamperfecto de indicativo)
When I arrived, they had already protested against the decision. (pluscuamperfecto de indicativo)
11.
Apenas hubo escuchado la noticia, se opuso en contra de la medida.
As soon as he heard the news, he opposed the measure. (pretérito anterior — literary/formal)
As soon as he heard the news, he opposed the measure. (pretérito anterior — literary/formal)
12.
Para cuando votes, ya habré protestado en contra de la ley.
By the time you vote, I will have protested against the law. (futuro perfecto)
By the time you vote, I will have protested against the law. (futuro perfecto)
13.
Habría protestado en contra si hubiera sabido.
I would have protested against it if I had known. (potencial compuesto)
I would have protested against it if I had known. (potencial compuesto)
14.
Dudo que hayan estado en contra sin razón.
I doubt they have been against it without reason. (perfecto de subjuntivo)
I doubt they have been against it without reason. (perfecto de subjuntivo)
15.
Si hubiera sabido que estarías en contra, habría reconsiderado.
If I had known you would be against it, I would have reconsidered. (pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo)
If I had known you would be against it, I would have reconsidered. (pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo)