English Opportunity

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khanhha Thursday 29th of December 2005 10:24:57 AM
opportunity - I have to choose either (a) or (b). Please show me how to choose quickly the better one.
To me, the difference between "opportunity" and "possibility" is not easy to recognize.

" I left my last job because I had no opportunity/possibility to travel."

Thanks.

joziboy Thursday 29th of December 2005 02:43:34 PM
- Hehe, I like your questions - they make me realise things I hadn't noticed before - like how difficult it is to define opportunity and possibility differently :)

Possibility just means being able to do things, whereas opportunity means that you have more choices, and better prospects. Opportunity is more hopeful sounding in a way :)

In that sentence opportunity definitely sounds better. 'Having the possibility to' sounds quite clumsy in English, if you wanted to use possibility, rather say 'I left my last job because it wasn't possible to travel.'

khanhha Thursday 29th of December 2005 03:09:21 PM
- Thank you Joziboy,
I like your explanation. It helps me know how to use English words more clearly.
Thanks again.

Ulven Wednesday 11th of January 2006 09:25:38 AM
- Just to hammer the point home...:p

[i]Opportunity[/i] is related to the concept of freedom, whereas [i]possibility[/i] is emotionless, and related to facts of a set situation.

[i]"There is no possibility of me walking (...because I have no legs)" [/i]<--- it is a fact that they won't be walking.

[i]"There is no opportunity for me to walk (...because I'm always busy/... because it is way too far)"[/i] <--- it is not a fact that this person can't walk, but their circumstances make it difficult.

[i]"A black man has no opportunities for employment in this country"[/i] <--- it is factually possible, but much less likely than for a white man. So you wouldn't use the word 'possibility' in this sentence.

[i]"It is impossible for a black man to find employment"[/i] <--- this would mean the law says black people aren't allowed to work. This sentence would be appropriate in the days of slavery. If this sentence were used today, it would be an exageration, to express distaste for the lack of opportunities. It's unlikely to be literally true. People do often say "it's impossible for me to find work" to let their frustration out.

Phrasebase Archive
	khanhha	Thursday 29th of December 2005 10:24:57 AM
	opportunity - I have to choose either (a) or (b). Please show me how to choose quickly the better one. To me, the difference between "opportunity" and "possibility" is not easy to recognize. " I left my last job because I had no opportunity/possibility to travel." Thanks.
	joziboy	Thursday 29th of December 2005 02:43:34 PM
	- Hehe, I like your questions - they make me realise things I hadn't noticed before - like how difficult it is to define opportunity and possibility differently :) Possibility just means being able to do things, whereas opportunity means that you have more choices, and better prospects. Opportunity is more hopeful sounding in a way :) In that sentence opportunity definitely sounds better. 'Having the possibility to' sounds quite clumsy in English, if you wanted to use possibility, rather say 'I left my last job because it wasn't possible to travel.'
	khanhha	Thursday 29th of December 2005 03:09:21 PM
	- Thank you Joziboy, I like your explanation. It helps me know how to use English words more clearly. Thanks again.
	Ulven	Wednesday 11th of January 2006 09:25:38 AM
	- Just to hammer the point home...:p [i]Opportunity[/i] is related to the concept of freedom, whereas [i]possibility[/i] is emotionless, and related to facts of a set situation. [i]"There is no possibility of me walking (...because I have no legs)" [/i]<--- it is a fact that they won't be walking. [i]"There is no opportunity for me to walk (...because I'm always busy/... because it is way too far)"[/i] <--- it is not a fact that this person can't walk, but their circumstances make it difficult. [i]"A black man has no opportunities for employment in this country"[/i] <--- it is factually possible, but much less likely than for a white man. So you wouldn't use the word 'possibility' in this sentence. [i]"It is impossible for a black man to find employment"[/i] <--- this would mean the law says black people aren't allowed to work. This sentence would be appropriate in the days of slavery. If this sentence were used today, it would be an exageration, to express distaste for the lack of opportunities. It's unlikely to be literally true. People do often say "it's impossible for me to find work" to let their frustration out.