How do you use the word opt? or opted?

It’s generally used to opt in or to opt out of something. In the example you gave, the correct way to phrase it would be along the line of ” I opted to go with my friend’s choice” assuming that the hearer knows what your friend’s choice actually was. If not, you should include that info as well.

Opt is just another way of saying choose or choice basically. And the use of opt vs. opted is a past tense or not issue.

The verb to opt is usually followed by for or to rather than with. You can opt for a noun (example: I opted for the first choice). Or, if it’s followed by a verb, you can opt to do something (I opted to take the longer road.)

Most people wouldn’t say “I opted for my friend’s choice,” or “I opted to go with my friend’s choice.” You could, but most people would pick a different verb. Synonyms include choose, decide, select, pick, etc (depending on context.)

thanks @Buttonstc. the preposition used after opt is “to?”
keep your answers coming.

You can also opt out of something….

@petethepothead I like that you explained what preposition follows opt, but I got more confused when you said “But you wouldn’t really say “I opted for my friends choice,” or “I opted to go with my friend’s choice.” ”.... you mean its not proper to use it? in your example “for” is followed by a noun, “friend”. and the example “to” is followed by a verb “go”. Those are correct right?

@Zendo how do you use opt to get out of something? btw thanks to @petethepothead and @Zendo too

It would be grammatically correct. I only meant that most people would choose a different verb over “opt.” (Such as “I decided to go with my friend’s choice.”) It is fine though.

In the example I gave “I opted for my friend’s choice,” the noun is actually “choice” and not “friend.” Another way of saying it that illustrates this better would be to say “I opted for the choice of my friend.” The meaning is the same.

So yes, “opted for” will be followed by a noun, while “opted to” would be followed by a verb.

@unodos The term opt-out refers to several methods by which individuals can avoid receiving unsolicited product or service information. This ability is usually associated with direct marketing campaigns such as telemarketing, e-mail marketing, or direct mail.

thanks @petethepothead for clearing all my mistakes. I learned well how to use the for and to. thanks also for telling me its not that common to use. how about a noun that is a gerund after the word for? I opted for helping my friend’s grammar? is this correct? or helping is not a noun, gerund?

@Zendo thanks!

First, you should be aware that in the sentence “I opted for helping my friend’s grammar,” the subject of the sentence is “grammar,” when you probably want it to be “friend.” To fix that, you could say “I opted for helping my friend with his grammar.” This makes friend the subject, and “with his grammar” becomes a prepositional phrase.

“I opted for helping my friend’s grammar,” or even “I opted for helping my friend with his grammar,” sounds awkward, and it would usually be best to avoid using a gerund when you could just as easily say “I opted to help my friend with his grammar.” I may be mistaken, but I believe “I opted for helping my friend with his grammar,” is technically grammatically acceptable. Still, there are better ways of saying it without using a gerund.

But if you were to use a gerund, for would be the correct preposition. “I opted for helping my friend with his grammar,” is correct.

@petethepothead. I see. Though you said my example is grammatically correct, its good to know that its not common to use. I dont want to use english words that are not used often.

Preposition are always tough for people who speak English as a second language. I commend you for asking the question.

I have a question on fluther about men “being able to opt out of paying for an unplanned pregnancy,” I am not very savvy on here, not sure how to get the link so you can see the sentence, but I guess you can go to my profile if you are interested.

The other frequent mistake I observe for ESL for Spanish speaking people are verbs in the past progressive (not sure you are Spanish speaking?). Completely understandable, very confusing.

Simply substitute choose for opt.

I choose you.

I choose to opt out

I choose to shut the computer down now.

The word opt is somewhat obscure and awkward, except in certain common-use phrases, such as “opt in” or “opt out,” as it is used to describe one’s preferences for, say, an e-mail distribution list.

There certainly are acceptable ways to use the word in other contexts, but since the construction is somewhat awkward, it might be more effective to use a more straightforward verb, such as choose or decide.

“I chose to participate,” instead of “I opted to participate.”
“I picked my friend’s choice,” instead of “I opted for my friend’s choice.”

To choose is the (infinitive) verb from which the noun choice is deriven.

Opt comes from option.

Where choose can always be used as a regular verb, opt is limited to expressions and the correct prepositions.

Use choose.

I’m opting out of answering this question…(what is the preposition in that sentence? The word “out”?)

The preposition is “of”

“out of” is the prepositional phrase.

@Buttonstc Mind if I stick you in my back pocket to use as a reference when I need it??

Sure, anytime.

:)

Let me know if ya have a hard time breathing!

:D