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What are Chance and Opportunity? The accurate differentiation of Chance and Opportunity
Chance and Opportunity are vocabulary terms that are quite familiar and common nowadays. However, these two words can also easily cause confusion. Let's differentiate between Chance and Opportunity together with PREP in each case of use!
I. What is “chance”?
To differentiate between Chance and Opportunity, first of all, let's understand the definition and usage of Chance:
1. Definition
What is Chance? Chance is a noun in English that means opportunity, coincidence, luck. For example:
- I had a chance to work abroad.
- He gave me a second chance to prove myself.
2. Usage
Chance is used to refer to opportunities, occasions, and possibilities of something happening, especially something truly desired. For example:
- I believe that effort is a great chance for success. (Referring to luck, fate, or a suitable situation to do something.)
- A broken car is a chance to change to a new car. (Referring to an event occurring unexpectedly and beyond one's control.)
- The chance encounter led to a serendipitous collaboration between the two managers. (Referring to a random, coincidental event that was not predicted but hoped for.)
3. Phrases including Chance
Here are some common English words/phrases containing Chance that you should remember to use more flexibly:
Phrase | Meaning | Example |
Fat chance | used for saying that you do not believe something is likely to happen | Fat chance she’ll lend me her car after what happened last time. |
Not a chance | If there is not a chance that something will happen, it is impossible | Not a chance she would get a job there. |
By any chance | used to ask a question or request in a polite way | Do you have changes, by any chance? |
Stand a chance (of something) | to have a chance of success | David stands a chance of getting a full scholarship to study in the US. |
Given the chance/choice | if I were allowed to, or if I could choose | She was given the chance to study abroad. |
Chance your arm | to take a risk in order to get something that you want | I decided to chance my arm and invest all my money in stocks. |
A fifty-fifty chance | a result is equally likely to happen or not happen | There is a fifty-fifty chance to invest in this project, it’s all or nothing. |
Given half a/the chance | If someone would do something given half a chance, they would certainly do it if the opportunity came up | Given half a chance, I would travel the world. |
Blow someone’s chance | Lose the opportunity to do something | Brian blew his chance to work at a large technology corporation. |
Not have a cat in hell’s chance | to be completely unable to achieve something | Tom hasn’t had a cat in hell’s chance of taking the university entrance exam. |
II. What is “opportunity”?
What is “opportunity”? And How is this word used? Let’s find the answers to these questions to be able to differentiate between chance and opportunity.
1. Definition
What is Opportunity? Opportunity is a noun in English that means a favorable juncture of circumstances, a good chance for advancement or progress. For example:
- The opportunity of a lifetime has come, I will seize it to get a ticket to work abroad.
- The opportunities for each person are the same, so effort will decide everything.
2. Usage
Opportunity is used to refer to an occasion or situation that makes it possible to do something that helps you achieve benefit or advantage. For example:
- This is a good opportunity for you to get this job.
- You should seize this opportunity for promotion.
3. Some words/phrases including Opportunity
Here are some common phrases using Opportunity that you should know for more versatile usage:
Phrase | Meaning | Example |
A golden opportunity | an excellent chance to do or get something | This is a golden opportunity to approach the person you love. |
Cash in on opportunity | to get money or another advantage from an event or situation, often in an unfair way | I was offered a job overseas. It’s a chance of a lifetime to cash in on an opportunity. |
Growth opportunity | The growth of something such as an industry, organization, or idea is its development in size, wealth, or importance | The company’s courses are great growth opportunities. |
Jump at the opportunity | to quickly take advantage of a new opportunity | You should jump at the opportunity to win a scholarship. |
Opportunity knocks | when a person gets the chance to do something he or she wants to do | Opportunity knocks on your door, take it. |
Take the opportunity | to use an occasion to do or say something | You should take the opportunity when you are young to travel more. |
Window of opportunity | there is an opportunity to do something but that this opportunity will only last for a short time and so it needs to be taken advantage of quickly (business) | This is a window of opportunity to invest more capital in this business. |
III. Differentiate Chance and Opportunity
How to differentiate between Chance and Opportunity? Opportunity and Chance have the same meaning, so they are interchangeably used in many cases.
- Chance is often used to describe unexpected opportunities that arise suddenly without being anticipated, with a high degree of randomness. For example: Alan took a chance and expressed his feelings for Linda.
- Opportunity is used in cases referring to opportunities that have been pre-planned, can be predicted, and are arranged. For example: Studying abroad is a wonderful opportunity to experience a new culture.
Please pay attention to the context to distinguish between "Chance" and "Opportunity" in each case most accurately!
IV. Exercises on differentiating between Chance and Opportunity
Here are 2 exercises to practice differentiating between Chance and Opportunity:
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with “chance” or “opportunity” to complete the following sentences:
- Anna was given the __________ to lead the project.
- There’s a good __________ of getting tickets if she arrives early.
- Peter took a __________ and applied for the job.
- Don’t miss this __________ to study abroad.
- Susan can’t believe she missed the __________ to meet my favorite author.
Exercise 2: Fill in the blanks with “chance” or “opportunity” to complete the following paragraph:
Lately, she has been presented with a remarkable (1) __________. She was given the (2) __________ to participate in an exhibition. This (3) __________ doesn’t come around often.
Answer keys:
Exercise 1:
- Opportunity
- Chance
- Chance
- Opportunity
- Chance
Exercise 2:
- (1) opportunity
- (2) chance
- (3) opportunity
Here is a comprehensive understanding of distinguishing between Chance and Opportunity that you should keep in mind. Make sure to differentiate between Chance and Opportunity to use them accurately in various contexts.
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