ESL General English Grammar Questions

ESL General English Grammar Questionshttp://www.englishforums.com/English/EslGeneralEnglishGrammar-Questions/Forum12.htmAsk your questions on grammar and get your sentence checked. We answer lots of different types of general English grammar questions here. <font color=red>DO NOT post paragraphs and compositions here. Post them in our <a href="http://www.englishforums.com/English/EssayReportCompositionWriting/Forum9.htm"><b>Essay, Report and Composition Writing Forum</b></a>.</font>enXMOD (Build: 3607.32596)Re: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/5/hrdkh/Post.htm#637748Sat, 21 Feb 2009 16:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:637748AlpheccaStars0http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/5/hrdkh/Post.htm#637748http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-637748.xmlDear Anon: In this thread, there are already 5 pages of answers to your question from different teachers and native speakers. If you have not yet understood the difference between "chance" and "opportunity" from all these answers, another reply will not help you. Please read the thread again and think about the answers for yourself. You can also use a good dictionary which will have many examples to follow. Best regards, A- sRe: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/5/hrdkh/Post.htm#636369Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:636369Anonymous1http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/5/hrdkh/Post.htm#636369http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-636369.xmlHi AlpheccasStars, Thanks a lot for your helpful and great answer. I'm confused about how to tell if chance and opportunity are different or the same in meaning in a situation. Could you please tell me if there is any subtle difference between them in these six examples below? 1.our only chance/opportunity of escape 2.I didn't get a chance/an opportunity to speak to her. 3.He left and I missed my chance/opportunity to say goodbye to him. 4.I never get a chance/an opportunity to relax these days. 5.He never misses the chance/oportunity of a free meal. 6.Would you give me a chance/an opportunity to make it up to you? Could you explain why 'chance' isn't fine here? "At least give him the opportunity of...Re: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/5/hrdkh/Post.htm#631826Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:631826AlpheccaStars2http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/5/hrdkh/Post.htm#631826http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-631826.xmlOpportunity knocks is the first words of a popular proverb / idiom about opportunity Opportunity knocks but once. Other proverbs are Strike while the iron is hot. Make hay while the sun shines. All mean that it is best to act on an opportunity when you have a chance, otherwise you might never see it again.. Is it true that there is always difference between the two words when they can both work in the same case? No, in a pair of words like these, there is not always a difference, and in a situation where one person might use the first word, another person would choose the second. English has a huge vocabulary of words because the English lexicon has inherited words from older languages - Latin, French, German, Greek, etc. Etymology...Re: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/5/hrdkh/Post.htm#631695Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:631695Anonymous3http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/5/hrdkh/Post.htm#631695http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-631695.xmlHi Alphecca, Thanks very much for your reply. What do you mean by "opportunity knocks"? Is it true that there is always difference between the two words when they can both work in the same case? Thanks.Re: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/4/hrdkh/Post.htm#631652Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:631652AlpheccaStars4http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/4/hrdkh/Post.htm#631652http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-631652.xmlYou can use either one. Say there's a guy at a party, and he has his eyes on a lovely lass who he would like to meet. But she is surrounded by a flock of other guys, all better dressed and all much better looking than he is. I would say "fat chance!" (So use "chance") Now there's another guy at the same party, and he wants to meet her too. And this guy knows that her friends have been telling her about how great he is and they have to meet each other... (you get the picture); etc. then I would say "opportunity knocks!" and use "opportunity".Re: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/4/hrdkh/Post.htm#631548Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:631548Anonymous5http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/4/hrdkh/Post.htm#631548http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-631548.xmlHi AlpheccaStars, Many thanks again for your helpful answer on the thread. Do you think there is difference between chance and opportunity here? He was waiting for a chance/an opportunity to introduce himself. Thanks.Re: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/4/hrdkh/Post.htm#629675Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:629675AlpheccaStars6http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/4/hrdkh/Post.htm#629675http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-629675.xml1.Everyone will have an opportunity /chance to comment. 2.He was never given the opportunity /chance of going to college. 3.You'll have the opportunity /chance to ask any questions at the end. 4.There was no opportunity /chance for further discussion. 5.At least give him the opportunity /chance of explaining what happened. 6.We won’t get another chance/opportunity for a holiday this year. 7.There will be a n chance/ opportunity for parents to look around the school. Anon: Opportunity implies something offered or possibly available based on effort or skill. Chance is most often associated with pure luck. So there is only one of your examples (#6), where I could use "chance" instead of "opportunity." ...Re: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/4/hrdkh/Post.htm#629476Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:629476Mister Micawber7http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/4/hrdkh/Post.htm#629476http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-629476.xml. I'm done with this topic. Perhaps another member will pick up the reins. .Re: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/4/hrdkh/Post.htm#627685Thu, 21 May 2009 15:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:627685Anonymous8http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/4/hrdkh/Post.htm#627685http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-627685.xmlHi MM, Could you please tell me if chance and opportunity are both fine in the following examples? Thank you very much for your reply. 1.Everyone will have an opportunity/chance to comment. 2.He was never given the opportunity/chance of going to college. 3.You'll have the opportunity/chance to ask any questions at the end. 4.There was no opportunity/chance for further discussion. 5.At least give him the opportunity/chance of explaining what happened. 6.We won’t get another chance/opportunity of a holiday this year. 7.There will be a chance/opportunity for parents to look around the school. Are their differences the same as you mentioned?Re: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/4/hrdkh/Post.htm#626679Thu, 21 May 2009 15:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:626679Mister Micawber9http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/4/hrdkh/Post.htm#626679http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-626679.xml. I said that 'they all sound fine to me'. That means that they are all good sentences. Your most recent #1 and #2 are also fine, with the same differences I mentioned.Re: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/4/hrdkh/Post.htm#626632Sat, 21 Feb 2009 16:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:626632Anonymous10http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/4/hrdkh/Post.htm#626632http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-626632.xmlHi MM, Thanks for your reply. Do you mean 'chance' doesn't work in all of the sentences in my last post? However, I got the example "Denise never misses the chance of a free meal" from an oline dictionary, does it sound odd with 'chance' here? Do chance and opportunity work in the following sentences? If they do, the difference in meaning is as you said in your earlier post? 1."The offer of a free trip round the world is the chance/opportunity of a lifetime." 2."For many athletes, the Olympics is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity/chance." Happy New Year!Re: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/4/hrdkh/Post.htm#625157Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:625157Mister Micawber11http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/4/hrdkh/Post.htm#625157http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-625157.xml. They all sound fine to me. ( an opportunity ) .Re: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/4/hrdkh/Post.htm#625034Thu, 21 May 2009 15:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:625034Anonymous12http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/4/hrdkh/Post.htm#625034http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-625034.xmlHi MM, Thaks very much for your explanation again. 1."Denise never misses the chance of a free meal." "Denise never misses the opportunity of a free meal." "He never misses a chance to acccept a free meal." Do the three sentences above sound natural? 2."Would you give me a chance/opportunity to make it up to you?" Are 'chance' and 'opportunity' both fine here? Thanks a lot.Re: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/3/hrdkh/Post.htm#623467Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:623467Mister Micawber13http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/3/hrdkh/Post.htm#623467http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-623467.xml. Chance is more neutral that opportunity ; opportunity is always positive. You can have a lucky chance or an unlucky chance , but opportunities are always fortunate. I cannot say it more clearly. .Re: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/3/hrdkh/Post.htm#623461Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:623461Anonymous14http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/3/hrdkh/Post.htm#623461http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-623461.xmlHi MM, Thanks for your explanation about 'opportunity'. However, I'm afraid I still doen't get the picture about it. Do you mean 'chance' can be both affirmative or not affirmative? What does 'affirmative' mean when it has something to do with 'opportunity'? Thanks a lot.Re: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/3/hrdkh/Post.htm#623254Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:623254Mister Micawber15http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/3/hrdkh/Post.htm#623254http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-623254.xml. 1.What does this mean? "opportunities are generally chances to accomplish something positive-- I want to suggest that 'opportunity' is a more affirmative word, while 'chance' is more neutral. This is my opinion. 2.Does 'take an opportunity' express less enthusiastic than 'seize an opportunity' and more passive?-- I would say less enthusiasm but no passivity. 3.You should take/seize the chance/opportunity to travel while you're still young." Does 'seize' also work here? -- Yes What is the subtle difference between 'chance' and 'opportunity' here?-- As above 4.."I'd like to take/seize this chance to thank you for all your hard work." Does...Re: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/3/hrdkh/Post.htm#622754Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:622754oerwahfm16http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/3/hrdkh/Post.htm#622754http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-622754.xmlI found this thread is useful for/to me. or should I say? I found out this thread is useful to/for me. Many thanks to Alphecca Star, Grammar Geek and AnonymousRe: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/3/hrdkh/Post.htm#622676Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:622676Anonymous17http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/3/hrdkh/Post.htm#622676http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-622676.xmlHi MM, Thank you very much for your reply. 1.What does this mean? "opportunities are generally chances to accomplish something positive" 2.Does 'take an opportunity' express less enthusiastic than 'seize an opportunity' and more passive? 3.You should take/seize the chance/opportunity to travel while you're still young." Does 'seize' also work here? What is the subtle difference between 'chance' and 'opportunity' here? 4.."I'd like to take/seize this chance to thank you for all your hard work." Does 'seize' work here? Thank you very much.Re: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/3/hrdkh/Post.htm#621730Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:621730Mister Micawber18http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/3/hrdkh/Post.htm#621730http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-621730.xml. I think that chances are more accidental than opportunities and opportunities are generally chances to accomplish something positive. As you have surmised, however, this is a subtle distinction. Nevertheless, in #2, it is a courtesy to the listeners to understand clearly that this chance is a positive, affirmative opportunity that the speaker has taken to compliment them. .Re: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/3/hrdkh/Post.htm#621327Sat, 21 Feb 2009 16:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:621327Anonymous19http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/3/hrdkh/Post.htm#621327http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-621327.xmlHi MM, I see what you mean by 'seize'. So, 'take' means someone gives you a chace and you take it like GG said? It's more passive, right? 1.You should take/seize the chance/opportunity to travel while you're still young." Does 'seize' also work here? Does 'chance' and 'opportunity' mean the same here? 2."I'd like to take this chance to thank you for all your hard work." As you said in your earlier post, 'opportunity' is the only choice here in #2. Why does 'chance' work in #1 but not work in #2? Thank you ver much for your help.Re: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/3/hrdkh/Post.htm#620635Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:620635Mister Micawber20http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/3/hrdkh/Post.htm#620635http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-620635.xml. I would call seize more enthusiastic-- as if time were more precious. .Re: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/3/hrdkh/Post.htm#620265Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:620265Anonymous21http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/3/hrdkh/Post.htm#620265http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-620265.xmlHi MM, Thank you for your reply. I'd like to seize/take this opportunity to thank you for all your hard work. What is the difference between 'take' and 'seize' here? Thanks! Merry Christmas!Re: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/2/hrdkh/Post.htm#620234Sat, 21 Feb 2009 16:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:620234Mister Micawber22http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/2/hrdkh/Post.htm#620234http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-620234.xml. Yes, they all sound the same to me. Since opportunity has more syllables, I suppose it is slightly less casual. .Re: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/2/hrdkh/Post.htm#620216Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:620216Anonymous23http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/2/hrdkh/Post.htm#620216http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-620216.xmlHi MM, Thank you very much for your reply. 1.I never get a chance to relax these days. 2.I never have a chance to relax these days 3.I never get an opportunity to relax these days. 4.I never have an opportunity to relax these days. Do the four sentences sound natural? Are chance and opportunity interchangeable and mean the same here? Thanks!Re: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/2/hrdkh/Post.htm#619148Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:619148Mister Micawber24http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/2/hrdkh/Post.htm#619148http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-619148.xml. In your sentences, most are interchangeable/synonymous, but often one is more common than the other. They are not really interchangeable/synonymous here (the other makes sense, but is just not or rarely used): 4) I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your hard work. 5) I'd like to seize this opportunity to thank you for all your hard work. 10) Society has to give prisoners a second chance when they come out of jail. .Re: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/2/hrdkh/Post.htm#619109Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:619109Anonymous25http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/2/hrdkh/Post.htm#619109http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-619109.xmlHi, Could anyone please reply to my questions above? Thanks!Re: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/2/hrdkh/Post.htm#594564Sat, 21 Feb 2009 16:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:594564Anonymous26http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/2/hrdkh/Post.htm#594564http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-594564.xmlHi GG, Many thanks again for your kind reply and help. However, I have some more questions: 1) Do you mean "I never have a chance to..." and "I never get/have an opportunity to..." aren't natural to say so? 2)You said:"Seize is more agressive. Someone can give you an opportunity and you can then take it, but if you seize it, you may interrupt." What do you mean by 'interrupt' here? 3)"You should take the chance to travel while you're still young." 'Take the chance' works in the above sentence, but doesn't work in the following sentence: "I'd like to take this chance to thank you for all your hard work." Could you please explain why 'chance'...Re: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/2/hrdkh/Post.htm#591850Thu, 21 May 2009 15:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:591850Grammar Geek27http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/2/hrdkh/Post.htm#591850http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-591850.xmlSorry for the delay 1) I can explain everything if you'll just give me a chance/an opportunity. If you give me a chance/an opportunity to speak, I'll explain. -- The answers you gave here were that only ' chance ' is correct. Why does 'opportunity' not work here in the two sentences? It's idomatic. Opportunity sounds like a you need the time or the place, while "give me a chance" is more of a mental thing - you'll hear what I have to say with an open mind, or watch what I do prepared to believe I did it well, without pre-judging me. 2) I never get/have a chance/an opportunity to relax these days. -- Your said "get a chance" is my preference, but "opportunity"...Re: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/2/hrdkh/Post.htm#591820Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:591820Anonymous28http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/2/hrdkh/Post.htm#591820http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-591820.xmlHi, Is anyone willing to offer your opinion on my above questions?Re: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/2/hrdkh/Post.htm#590313Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:590313Anonymous29http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/2/hrdkh/Post.htm#590313http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-590313.xmlHi, Could anyone please help me with my questions above? Thank you very much.Re: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/2/hrdkh/Post.htm#589507Thu, 21 May 2009 15:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:589507Anonymous30http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/2/hrdkh/Post.htm#589507http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-589507.xmlHi GG, Many thanks for your great help. I have some qustions as follows: 1) I can explain everything if you'll just give me a chance/an opportunity. If you give me a chance/an opportunity to speak, I'll explain. -- The answers you gave here were that only ' chance ' is correct. Why does 'opportunity' not work here in the two sentences? 2) I never get/have a chance/an opportunity to relax these days. -- Your said "get a chance" is my preference, but "opportunity" doesn't sound weird. Do you mean we can use 'get a chance' or 'have a chance' or 'get an opportunity' or 'have an opportunity' here? 3) I'd like to take/seize this opportunity to thank you...Re: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/hrdkh/post.htm#588140Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:588140Grammar Geek31http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/hrdkh/post.htm#588140http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-588140.xmlSorry, I didn't see this before. This is how I expect to hear them. "I'd like to take this opportunity to..." is so fixed that "chance" sounds odd to me there. You "miss an opportunity." Most others are interchangeable. If someone "gives you a chance" it has more of a sense of proving yourself after you have somehow started out with the idea that you are not suitable. You don't seem like you'd be a suitable romantic partner, but she'll give you a chance; you made a mistake when you did this job before, but they'll give you a chance to make it right. In contrast, someone who gives you an opportunity does not have the preconceived idea that you won't succeed. 1)...Re: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/hrdkh/post.htm#588039Sat, 21 Feb 2009 16:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:588039Anonymous32http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/hrdkh/post.htm#588039http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-588039.xmlHi Could someone please reply to my above questions!Re: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/hrdkh/post.htm#587363Thu, 21 May 2009 15:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:587363Anonymous33http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/hrdkh/post.htm#587363http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-587363.xmlHi GG, Thank you very much for your answer. Could you please help me to check if 'chance' and 'opportunity' are interchangeable and mean the same in the examples below? 1) I can explain everything if you'll just give me a chance/an opportunity. 2) our only chance/opportunity of escape 3) I never get/have a chance/an opportunity to relax these days. 4) I'd like to take this opportunity/chance to thank you for all your hard work. 5) I'd like to seize this opportunity/chance to thank you for all your hard work. 6) Denise never misses the chance/opportunity of a free meal. 7) He was given a second chance/opportunity to prove his abilities. 8) I didn't get/have a chance/opportunity to speak to her. 9) If...Re: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/hrdkh/post.htm#587354Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:587354Grammar Geek34http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/hrdkh/post.htm#587354http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-587354.xmlThey are exactly the same in this context for me.Re: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/hrdkh/post.htm#587353Sat, 21 Feb 2009 16:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:587353Anonymous35http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/hrdkh/post.htm#587353http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-587353.xmlHi AlpheccaStars, Thank you very much for your reply. I know 'chance' have some different usages. According to the dictionary, it can mean "a time or situation which you can use to do something that you want to do." For example: Ralph was waiting for a chance to introduce himself. I think 'opportunity' has the similar meaning like 'chance' here. Can I replace 'chance' with 'opportunity' as in Ralph was waiting for an opportunity to introduce himself. Is there subtle difference between 'chance' and 'opportunity' here? Thanks.Re: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/hrdkh/post.htm#585715Thu, 21 May 2009 15:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:585715AlpheccaStars36http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/hrdkh/post.htm#585715http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-585715.xmlI have seen it used both ways.Re: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/hrdkh/post.htm#585705Thu, 21 May 2009 15:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:585705Anonymous37http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/hrdkh/post.htm#585705http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-585705.xmlHi Thank you very much. I would like to know if "an/the opportunity of a lifetime" is a correct phrase and "once-in-a-lifetime chance" is also a correct one?Re: a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/hrdkh/post.htm#585703Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:585703AlpheccaStars38http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/hrdkh/post.htm#585703http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-585703.xmlChance means that it will be only luck involved in getting the prize. Opportunity means that it will take work, effort and skill to get it, not only luck.a chance of a lifetimehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/hrdkh/post.htmSat, 21 Mar 2009 16:10:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:585691Anonymous39http://www.englishforums.com/English/AChanceOfALifetime/hrdkh/post.htmhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-585691.xmlHi, 1.The offer of a free trip round the world is the chance/opportunity of a lifetime. 2.For many athletes, the Olympics is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity/chance. Are 'chance' and 'opportunity' interchangeable in the two sentences above? Is there any subtle difference between the two terms here? Thanks a lot!