Unit 68

Chance and opportunity

 

(a) Chance of -ing

 

Мы говорим: `someone has a (good) chance of

doing something' (чтобы сдать экзамен, победить

в матче и т.д.):

 

- Do you think I have a chance of passing the examination?

- We have a very good chance of winning the match.

 

Мы также можем сказать

any/no/little/much chance:

 

- I don't think I have much chance of finding a job.

- He has no chance of passing the examination.

 

Мы также можем сказать `stand a chance of

doing something':

 

- He doesn't stand a chance of passing the examination.

 

Мы также можем сказать `What are the chances

of something (happening)?':

 

- What are the chances of success?

- What are my chances of passing the examination?

 

Мы также можем сказать `there is a chance of

something happening' или `there is a chance

that something will happen':

 

- Is there any chance of you lending me some money until tomorrow?

- There is a chance that I'll be late home this evening.

 

(b) Chance to do something

 

Мы употребляем `chance to do something' когда

слово chance означает время или возможность

сделать что-то. (`Chance of -ing' - менее

употребительно в данном значении.)

 

- `Have you read the book I lent you?' `No, I haven't had a chance to

look at it yet.' (= I haven't had time / an opportunity to look at it)

- We didn't have much chance to talk to each other when we last met.

(= we didn't have much time/opportunity to talk)

- These days I don't get much chance to watch television. I'm too busy.

 

(c) Opportunity

 

Обычно мы говорим `opportunity to do something'

(выражение opportunity of -ing также употребимо):

 

- I have the opportunity to study in the United States for a year. Do you

think I should go? (= the chance to study)

- After the lecture there will be an opportunity to ask questions.

 

Вы можете сказать any/no/little/much/plenty of/

more opportunity:

 

- Do you have much opportunity to speak English?

(= much chance to speak)

- We live near the mountains, so we have plenty of opportunity to go

skiing.

 

Не говорите `possibility to do something':

 

- I had the opportunity to study in Canada. (но не `possibility to study')