Cool MateIs chance vs Opportunity
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Is chance
Top 2,000 (common)
Opportunity
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
Most common: Opportunity
| Is chance | Opportunity | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪz tʃæns//🇺🇸 //ɪz tʃæns// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌɒpəˈtjuːnəti/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌɑːpərˈtuːnəti/"]/ |
| Meaning | A possibility or opportunity to happen something. | A chance to do something or improve your situation. |
| Example | Is there a chance you might join us later? | She seized the opportunity to travel abroad for her studies. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A2 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | take a chance, give a chance, take a chance on something, miss a chance, high chance | 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 | - | obstacle, hindrance, barrier |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'the chance' which refers to a specific opportunity., Using 'is chance' instead of 'is there a chance'., Not using it appropriately in negative forms. | 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 | Used mainly in informal contexts to express uncertainty or possibility. It can sometimes appear in formal writing but is less common. | 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: Is chance vs Opportunity
What's the difference between Is chance and Opportunity?
Is chance: A possibility or opportunity to happen something. Opportunity: A chance to do something or improve your situation.
Which is more common: Is chance and Opportunity?
Opportunity is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Is chance: Is there a chance you might join us later? Opportunity: She seized the opportunity to travel abroad for her studies.
Can I use Is chance and Opportunity interchangeably?
Not always. Is 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.