Anonymous  +  577574 Sat, 18 Oct 08 03:07 PM Hi, She hopes she has the chance/opportunity to become an artist someday. Are 'chance' and 'opportunity' interchangeable here and no any difference between them? Many thanks. Anonymous Difference Between

	Fandorin  +  577580 Sat, 18 Oct 08 03:23 PM An opportunity is a situation in which it is possible for you to do something that you want to do. If you have a chance to do something, you have the opportunity to do it. So they can be interchangeble. Anyway, it seems to be this way: She hopes she has the chance to become an artist someday. There is a probability she becomes an artist and it depend on her whether she uses it or not. She hopes she has the opportunity to become an artist someday. She has the real possibility to become an artist (because there are some evidences now). Fandorin Joined on Thu, Dec 20 2007 Moscow Contributing Member 1,382 Whatever happens, be yourself.

	AlpheccaStars  +  577593 Sat, 18 Oct 08 03:58 PM  "Opportunity" has the sense that there is some specific goal and there is not as much pure luck required  for success. For example: I earned such high grades last semester that my school gave me the opportunity for a scholarship.  "Chance" implies more pure luck or randomness in being successful:: Since he bought so many tickets this round, he has a better chance to win the lottery.  Many times we use these interchangably. AlpheccaStars Joined on Sun, Oct 12 2008 Senior Member 3,508 The pen is mightier than the sword. Edward Bulwer-Lytton (1803-1873)

	Yankee  +  577626 Sat, 18 Oct 08 07:00 PM Anonymous “She hopes she has the chance/opportunity to become an artist someday.” Hi Anon The wording of your sentence sounds a little odd to me with either word.  Does the following rewording seem to reflect the meaning you wanted? - She hopes there is a chance that she will become a famous artist someday. Yankee Joined on Sat, Apr 15 2006 Connecticut, USA Veteran Member 6,491 Amy "You can't depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus." - Mark Twain

	Yankee  +  577644 Sat, 18 Oct 08 08:05 PM To me, the word "opportunity" would not work in that sentence -- the word "opportunity" seems too definite/specific. The word "opportunity" would suggest that it is possible to be given a definite option to choose a specific result. However, it is unlikely that any one person can offer you the option of "becoming a famous artist".  There are too many variables involved in achieving "famous artist" status, and I think that's why I prefer the word "chance". I hope more people will post their opinions for you.  That might help you develop a better feel for the usage of each word.  I'd also suggest searching resources such as the BNC, COCA, the New York Times, etc. for examples of usage for each word in context. Yankee