区别辨析chance、opportunity与occasion

这些名词均含“机会”之意。

chance : 侧重指偶然或意外的机会,有时也指正常或好的机会。

  • I didn't get/have a chance to speak to her.
    我没有机会跟她说话。
  • If you give me a chance to speak, I'll explain.
    要是你给我个说话的机会,我会解释的。
  • Society has to give prisoners a second chance when they come out of jail.
    犯人出狱后社会必须再给他们一次机会。
  • He left and I missed my chance to say goodbye to him.
    他走了,我失去了跟他道别的机会。
  • I'd go now given half a chance (= if I had the slightest opportunity).
    要有丁点儿机会我现在就会走。

opportunity : 侧重指有利或适合于采取行动,以达到某一目的或实现某种愿望的最佳时机或机会。

  • Everyone will have an opportunity to comment.
    每个人都有机会发表意见。
  • I was never given the opportunity of going to college.
    我从没有得到过上大学的机会。
  • The exhibition is a unique opportunity to see her later work.
    这次展览是欣赏她后期作品的难得的机会。
  • An ankle injury meant she missed the opportunity to run in the qualifying heat.
    脚踝受伤意味着她失去了参加资格赛的机会。
  • Please contact us at the earliest opportunity (= as soon as possible).
    请尽快和我们联系。
  • He goes fishing at every opportunity (= as often as possible).
    他一有机会就去钓鱼。
  • I used to love going out dancing, but I don't get much opportunity now.
    我过去喜欢去剧院,但现在我没有什么机会去。
  • He had a golden (= an extremely good) opportunity to score in the first half but squandered it.
    他在上半场时有一个绝佳的射门得分机会,可是给浪费掉了。

occasion : 指特殊时机或良机,也指时节。

  • The 200th anniversary of Mozart's death was the occasion for hundreds of special films, books and concerts.
    为纪念莫扎特逝世200周年,出现了数以百计的专题电影、书籍及音乐会。
  • An occasion may arise when you can use your knowledge of French.
    可能有机会让你用用法语。
  • The bride took/used the occasion to make a short speech.
    新娘利用这个机会简短地讲了几句。