Kat's assignments

[Kooper]

As a passionate English teacher who are so willing and kind to help us get over the plateau we've hit, Kat gave us two assignments near the end of the 2nd run. Here they are.

1. Find out differences between chance and opportunity

2. Find out how to use the word "practice"

They are both big topics. Let's see if we can piece together the jigsaw of the usages of the three words. This could be a lot of fun.

[Rock]

I guess "chance" can sometimes be bad. Chances are that I may lose all my teeth in the accident. "Opportunity" only refers to good things. I may have an opportunity to get affordable dentures if I can find a good dentist.

After I got my dentures, I started to practice using them by chewing betel nuts everyday. The practice cost me my new false teeth, and I were toothless again.

[Tina Sun]

Using chance means the percentage to get the chance is low while the percentage of using opportunity is higher and a good one.
(chance: random and unclear; opportunity: particular and promising) ??

[Kooper]

My understanding is "Chances are" is a neutral term. It just means it is possible that something might happen or somebody might do something. I however could be wrong.

I remember Kat used this term twice in the meeting but have forgot the contents.

[Kooper]

Using chance means the percentage to get the chance is low while the percentage of using opportunity is higher and a good one.
(chance: random and unclear; opportunity: particular and promising) ??

I see eye to eye with you on this. But again, I could be wrong.

[Tina Sun]

Just found out this article

Opportunity vs Chance

Chance and opportunity are two words that are used commonly in our daily lives. Though having nearly same meanings, they are used in different contexts and have different usages. Many people tend to use these words interchangeably which is a wrong practice. This article will attempt to highlight the subtle differences between opportunity and chance.

Opportunity is a word that signifies some specific results that are there to be taken (up for grabs). For example, there are lots of job opportunities if you get an MBA degree. This simply means that one can lay his hands or rather become qualified to get high paying jobs if he gets an MBA degree. There is nothing left for chance or probability. When we talk of chance, we are referring to probabilities of an event occurring or taking place in future. For example, there is an equal chance of a woman giving birth to a boy or a girl. One can never hope to put in opportunity in place of chance in this context.

Similarly, in a game of luck like roulette or poker, one always talks of chances in a game situation and never uses the word opportunity. When you throw a dice, you talk about chance of getting a 5 or 6 rather than opportunity of obtaining the results.

Chance and opportunity are both nouns but whereas chance is a possibility, opportunity is an opening offered by circumstances.

It was the sudden demise of the Prime Minster that the finance minister got an opportunity to become the leader of the government

I met my old classmate by chance when I went to see a movie.

When a doctor talks about the chance of a patient surviving an ailment, he is basing his opinion upon his medical condition. He is taking into account the probability of survival. On the other hand, taking a chance of doing a stunt is taking some type of a calculated risk.

In brief:
Opportunity and Chance
• Opportunity smacks of possibilities that are real while chance is pure gambling
• Opportunity is an opening that one gets because of circumstances or through his credentials while chance is by luck.


Read more:
http://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-opportunity-and-vs-chance/#ixzz39Ut7TwHx

[Kooper]

Hi Tina, Rock and all,
It is true that when we talk about the possibility that something will happen, we use CHANCE rather than OPPORTUNITY. On the other hand, we use OPPORTUNITY, not CHANCE, to refer to a job that is available for someone to get.

I used to hold a similar opinion as the article you quoted or the comments that you made - not sure where and how I learnt it. After looking up dictionaries I however got confused in the beginning and eventually have reached a different conclusion. I would now say that it is also true that in many cases OPPORTNUNITY and CHANCE are interchangeable. If we stick too much to the rules like "use CHANCE when the possibility is low and OPPORTUNITY when the possibility is HIGH" or "use OPPORTUNITY when the result is good or when it is something you want," etc, we may simply paint ourselves into a corner.

Let’s first compare how dictionaries define the two words.

Chance:
1. a situation in which it is possible or convenient for you to do something that you want to do
2. an opportunity for you to do something, especially something that you want to do
3. a time or situation which you can use to do something that you want to do
Opportunity:
1. a chance to do something, especially something important
2. a chance to do something, or a situationin which it is easy for you to do something
3. a chance to do something or an occasion when it is easy for you to do something
4. the possibility of doing things that you want to do or that will bring you an advantage

To be frank the descriptions look all extremely similar, if not the same, to me.

There are also pairs of examples shown in the dictionaries that, to me, look virtually the same and I have no idea why I need to use CHANCE in one of the sentences while OPPORTUNITY in the other.
Pair #1:
Ex: The state fair was the perfect chance for him to display his flowers.
Ex: This system is a perfect opportunity for young people to work together in the community.

Pair #2:
Ex: The program gives students the opportunity to learn more about global warming.
Ex: The show provides a chance for the public to look at all the latest software.

Pair #3:
Ex: The meetings are very short, so there is little chance for real discussion.
Ex: an event that would provide an opportunity for meaningful debate

Pair #4:
Ex: Ralph was waiting for a chance to introduce himself.
Ex: All he needs is an opportunity to show his ability.

[Wayne]

Hi Kooper:

My choices of words:

Pair #1:
Ex: The state fair was the perfect chance for him to display his flowers. (opportunity OK)
Ex: This system is a perfect opportunity for young people to work together in the community. (chance not OK)

Pair #2:
Ex: The program gives students the opportunity to learn more about global warming. (chance not OK)
Ex: The show provides a chance for the public to look at all the latest software. (opportunity OK)

Pair #3:
Ex: The meetings are very short, so there is little chance for real discussion. (opportunit OK)
Ex: an event that would provide an opportunity for meaningful debate (chance not OK)

Pair #4:
Ex: Ralph was waiting for a chance to introduce himself. (opportunity OK)
Ex: All he needs is an opportunity to show his ability. (chance not OK)

Conclusion: chance, when not meaning odds/risk at doing something, can in genearl be replaced by opportunity. On the other hand, opportunity must not be used when referring to odds/risks at doing something. They can be used interchangeably when "a paticular occasion/moment" is referred to.

[Kooper]

Hi Wayne,

Thanks for your reply, but now I've got even more confused..
I think in all the four pairs of sentences either CHANCE or OPPORTUNITY refers to a particular occasion, moment or situation, why you think it's not OK to use CHANCE in the four sentences that have OPPORTUNITY?

[Kooper]

Here is my two cents.

There are several groups of phrases which I feels are almost the same in usage. The nuances, if there is any, are mostly caused by other words in the phrases rather than the use of CHANCE or OPPORTUNITY. Here they are.

1. take the opportunity / grab the chance /jump at the chance / jump at the opportunity / seize an opportunity / seize a chance

2. miss an opportunity / miss a chance / blow your chance

3. a golden opportunity / a chance of a lifetime / a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity

4. at every opportunity / whenever someone gets(has) a chance

5. give the chance / given the opportunity

[Wayne]

Hi Wayne,

Thanks for your reply, but now I've got even more confused..
I think in all the four pairs of sentences either CHANCE or OPPORTUNITY refers to a particular occasion, moment or situation, why you think it's not OK to use CHANCE in the four sentences that have OPPORTUNITY?

All right, let me try this.

Put "chance" in the sentecne. If it's in the sense of "odds/risks", and the sentence doesn't make sense, it cannot replace opportunity.
I've got the sense but its' really difficult to expalin.

I think Kat's given a better explanation. Oftentimes, the collocation matters.

[Michael-liu]

="Wayne"

Pair #1:
Ex: This system is a perfect opportunity for young people to work together in the community. (chance not OK)

Pair #2:
Ex: The program gives students the opportunity to learn more about global warming. (chance not OK)

Pair #3:
Ex: an event that would provide an opportunity for meaningful debate (chance not OK)

Pair #4:
Ex: All he needs is an opportunity to show his ability. (chance not OK)

Here are also my two cents

1. chance and opportunity 基本上是同義詞, 在口語上是可以通用, 但在以上這些例句中, 當敘述的是積極的, 正面的事情時, "chance not OK" 並非說用chance是錯誤的, 而是用opportunity的話, 會是比較漂亮的寫作, 我個人認為, 那純粹by luck 的事情, 就用chance 會比較適當

2. about "job opportunity", 如果學生問"為何不說"job chance"? my reply will be "這是慣用語, 沒有為什麼,Nobody says "job chance" , 有些詞彙就是必然連在一起用, After all, language is not science, you have to follow what most people say. Rock is a teacher, maybe you can respond on this.