Chance and opportunity in English

The idea

Chance can mean possibility or an occasion to act; opportunity usually means a favorable occasion to do something.

Examples

• There is a chance of snow tonight.
• The team has little chance of winning.
• I met my neighbour by chance at the station.
• The workshop is an opportunity to meet local artists.
• A scholarship gave Mina the opportunity to study abroad.
• We had a chance to ask the guide questions.

Watch out

Do not use opportunity for the probability of rain. An occasion to act can often be called a chance or an opportunity.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the correct word. There is a small ___ of rain tomorrow. (chance / opportunity)

   Show answer or example answer

   chance

   chance: Rain is a possible event, not an action offered to someone.

2. Choose the correct word. The course gives us an ___ to practise speaking. (opportunity / chance)

   Show answer or example answer

   opportunity / chance

   opportunity / chance: The course offers an occasion to practise.

3. Choose the correct word. We found the café by ___. (chance / opportunity)

   Show answer or example answer

   chance

   chance: The fixed phrase by chance means accidentally.

Use it today

Find a possibility in a forecast and describe an occasion you could use.