Cool MateChance vs Opportunity
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Chance
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
Opportunity
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
| Chance | Opportunity | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/tʃɑːns/"]/🇺🇸 /["/tʃæns/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌɒpəˈtjuːnəti/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌɑːpərˈtuːnəti/"]/ |
| Meaning | A possibility of something happening. | A chance to do something or improve your situation. |
| Example | She took a chance and applied for the job, despite her doubts. | She seized the opportunity to travel abroad for her studies. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | A2 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | excellent, good, high, give somebody, be in with, have, by any chance, chance of, chance for, fat chance, have every chance, no chance!, equal, fair, good, element, get, have, deserve, arise, come, come your way, chance at, given the chance, half a chance, let a chance slip, take, chance on, chance with, mere, pure, sheer, leave something to, by chance, due to chance, through chance, a game of chance, take your chances | ample, considerable, plenty of, have, find, get, exist, arise, come, opportunity for, at the earliest opportunity, at the first (possible) opportunity, at every available opportunity |
| Antonyms | certainty, inevitability | obstacle, hindrance, barrier |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'change' in spoken English., Using 'chance' as a verb incorrectly., Saying 'a chance to do' when it should be 'chance of doing'. | Confused with 'chance'—they are similar but 'opportunity' often implies a better or more favorable condition., Using it inappropriately in negative contexts—'opportunity' usually has a positive connotation. |
| Usage notes | Use 'chance' when discussing the likelihood of an event. It's appropriate in both spoken and written contexts but avoid using it in very formal documents. It can often be replaced with 'opportunity' when talking about the possibility for success. | Used in both formal and informal contexts. It's appropriate for discussing career chances, events, or possibilities. Avoid using in overly casual situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Chance vs Opportunity
What's the difference between Chance and Opportunity?
Chance: A possibility of something happening. Opportunity: A chance to do something or improve your situation.
Are Chance and Opportunity the same CEFR level?
Chance: A2, Opportunity: A2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Chance and Opportunity?
Chance: noun, Opportunity: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Chance: She took a chance and applied for the job, despite her doubts. Opportunity: She seized the opportunity to travel abroad for her studies.
Can I use Chance and Opportunity interchangeably?
Not always. Chance and Opportunity are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.