Chance Occasion Opportunity and Possibility
Business is often all about getting a chance or having the opportunity to succeed. Sometimes, on occasions you are given the possibility of meeting some really wonderful people and make great connections.
As you can see, the words, chance, occasion, opportunity and possibility are very commonly used and are often central to the whole concept of business. We seize opportunities and we take a chance in order to become successful.
Unfortunately, these 4 words can sometimes lead to confusion. They are all very similar in meaning and for some language learners they can be confusing to use correctly.
With that being said, today I am going to show you the difference in meaning, and then help you by showing you how they can collocate with other words.
If you haven’t already, grab a pen and get ready to take some notes as I am sure you are going to find today’s episode extremely useful.
Occasion
Meaning: a particular time when something happens.
Example: My sister’s wedding was a very special occasion.
Collocations:
Adjectives: formal, historic, memorable, rare, solemn, special, unique
Verbs: mark an occasion, rise to the occasion
Use: on one occasion, the occasion when + clause
Watch the episode here
Opportunity
Meaning: a situation in which it is possible to do something you want to do
Example: I’m going to work in Hong Kong for a year. It’s a great opportunity.
Collocations:
Adjectives: equal, excellent, golden, perfect, tremendous, welcome
Verbs: have, lose, miss, seize, take + the opportunity, opportunity + arise/occur
Use: the opportunity to do something, the opportunity for + Noun
Possibility
Meaning: a situation where something may or may not happen
Example: There’s a definite possibility of a strike by train drivers next week.
Collocations:
Adjectives: definite, distinct, real, remote, serious, slight, strong
Verbs: face, accept, rule out, recognise, ignore + the possibility
Use: the possibility of doing something [not possibility to do], the possibility that + clause
Chance
Meaning: an occasion which allows something to be done; an opportunity
Example: I’m afraid I didn’t get the chance to tell him the good news.
Collocations:
Adjectives: good, ideal, last, second, unexpected
Verbs: get, have, deserve, welcome, give someone, take, turn down + the chance
Use: the chance to do something
Meaning: likelihood; the level of possibility that something will happen
Example: There’s an outside chance that I’ll have to go to Japan next week.
Collocations:
Adjectives: fair, outside, realistic, reasonable, slim
Verbs: be in with a chance / stand a chance of + -ing
Use: the chance of doing something, there’s a chance that + clause, by any chance, on the off chance, No chance!
Final thoughts
These four words are fantastic to have in your vocabulary range and when they are used effectively and with the correct collocations, they can really make your English sound very fluent and native.
As you will see, it is important to understand the difference between opportunity and chance, as I feel that these two are the most similar and can cause the most confusion.
Don’t forget to pick up your copy of my eBook, “500 Business English Collocations for Everyday Use”, which includes a free audio download of the pronunciation of all the words. Remember, understanding collocations and using them is one of the fastest ways to improve your English. Click below to get access to the eBook now.
Please feel free to comment below and tell me how you use these four expressions and let me know if you have any further doubts surrounding their meaning and use.
Till next week, take care, bye for now.
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