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Usenet Posted 23 years ago
Usage

Possibility vs Opportunity

A friend complained that his German students would use "possibility" most of the time, whereas he would prefer "opportunity" in most cases. So we are wondering whether there is any rule on when to use which. Suggestions?
Thanks in advance:
IK
  

Top answer

[nq:1]A friend complained that his German students would use "possibility" most of the time, whereas he would prefer "opportunity" in most cases. So we are wondering whether there is any rule on when to use which. [/nq] Any sound dictionary should suffice, but the essence is that "possibility" is a neutral term for "anything that might occur", whereas an "opportunity" is a possibility that likely offers benefit.

— Usenet

  • [nq:1]A friend complained that his German students would use "possibility" most of the time, whereas he would prefer "opportunity" in most cases.
  • So we are wondering whether there is any rule on when to use which.
  • [/nq] Any sound dictionary should suffice, but the essence is that "possibility" is a neutral term for "anything that might occur", whereas an "opportunity" is a possibility that likely offers benefit.
  • There was a possibility that he might go to Germany.
  • That says nothing whatever about whether his going would be good for him, bad for him, pleasant, unpleasant, or anything.
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2 Answers
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[nq:1]A friend complained that his German students would use "possibility" most of the time, whereas he would prefer "opportunity" in most cases. So we are wondering whether there is any rule on when to use which. Suggestions?[/nq]
Any sound dictionary should suffice, but the essence is that "possibility" is a neutral term for "anything that might occur", whereas an "opportunity" is a possibil
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[nq:1]A friend complained that his German students would use "possibility" mostof the time, whereas he would prefer "opportunity" in most cases. So we are wondering whether there is any rule on when to use which. Suggestions? Thanks in advance: IK[/nq]
There doesn't appear to be much overlap between the meanings of the words:

From *Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary* at
www.m
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