Говорите правильно по-английски - Поуви Дж.
Скачать (прямая ссылка):
A possibility is simply something which is possible. It may be pleasant or unpleasant, or completely neutral in this respect.
eg 1. Is there any possibility of getting tickets for the
ballet tonight?
2. There is a possibility of rain.
99 3. They discussed the possibility of arranging extra classes.
4. The possibility of running away never occurred to him.
5. The possibility of her missing the plane worried him.
6. We must face the possibility of failure)defeat.
7. — We could postpone the meeting for a week. — Yes. That's a possibility.
Note that possibility is hardly ever used with the verb have (to have a possibility).
When something is not only possible but pleasant, profitable or necessary, opportunity or chance is preferable. Here are some typical examples with opportunity:
8. I have the opportunity of going to England for a month next year.
9. They were given the opportunity of moving into a bigger flat.
10. Are there any opportunities for research in your new job?
11. This course provides an excellent opportunity for teachers to bring themselves up to date with the latest developments in audio-visual aids.
12. After the talk the chairman gave the audience an opportunity oO ask questions.
13. Young people have many opportunities nowadays but they don't always make the most of them.
14. He never misses an opportunity of practising his English.
In some cases, such as the last, opportunity means a favourable moment or occasion. Other examples are:
15. I should like to take this opportunity of thanking Mr Roberts for his valuable help.
16. 1 the new
17. г.
As can be seen from the above examples, opportunity can be used in the following constructions:
the/an opportunity
of doing smth.—examples 8, 9, 14-17 to do smth. —example 12
100 — an opportunity for smb. to do smth. — example 11
— an opportunity for smth. — example 10
In the first type, where either the gerund (with of) or the infinitive may be used, the gerund is more common, especially in sentences like no. 8 and no. 15. There seems to be no guiding principle here except what is habitual in a certain combination. As for the use of the definite or the indefinite article, there is practically no difference in meaning here.
Although opportunity is generally a countable noun, it is sometimes used uncountably. For example, it could be used in this way in example 10 above.
— Is there any opportunity for research in your new job?
Here the only difference is one of emphasis; instead of various separate possibilities the speaker sees either one, or various possibilities collectively.
Opportunity is used in this uncountable sense in the phrase equality of opportunity, which often occurs nowadays in the context of education and sociology. It means "equal opportunities for education, employment, promotion, etc. for everyone (whatever their social class, race, income of their parents, etc.)."
eg 18. Comprehensive schools have brought greater equality of opportunity but not as much as some people hoped.
Opportunity is used with the following verbs: have, findy get, take, seize, grasps make the most of, miss, waste, give, provide, afford (very formal), offer.
Adjectives commonly used with opportunity are: good, excellent, wonderful, golden (=exceptionally good), welcome, rare, unique.
Chance is often used in the same sense as "opportunity" in informal style. For example, it could be used in sentences 8, 9, 12, 14, 16 and 17 above. In the other sentences, however, it is not possible, either because the situation is too formal (no. Щ 15) or (no. 10) because there would be a risk of confusion with the other meaning of chance, given below. In sentences like no. 13 chance is simply not usual. Here are some more sentences where chance is commonly used:
19. If I had a chance I'd change my job.
20. She jumped at the chance of appearing in the concert.
101 21. He didn't give us a chance to object.
22. Be sure to go to the art gallery if you have a chance.
The other meaning of chance is connected with probability and corresponds to the Russian шанс.
і success
eg 23. He has no chance of | passing the emm_
24. — Is there any chance of seeing the manager today?
— No, I'm afraid there's no chance at all. He's very busy.
25. This is your last chance.
Exercise. Fill in the blanks with possibility, opportunity or chance (sg. or pi.) with an article where necessary.
I. We do not often have . . . of hearing first-rate orchestras in the provinces. 2. I had . . . to work as an interpreter at an international conference in the summer, which was very good practice for me. 3. There is . . . that the lecture will be cancelled. 4. If you have . . . to go to Central Asia, don't miss it. 5. His English is so poor that he has no . . . of passing the exam. 6. Please finish your talk at about half past eight, in order to give people . .. to ask questions. 7. Have you considered . ,. of changing the title? 8. I should like to take this . . . of thanking Mrs Bennett for her cooperation. 9. Children at secondary modern schools had little . . . of going on to higher education. 10. There are many ... for specialists in computer science nowadays. 11. (To a doctor) — Is there any . . . of recovery? 12. (A teacher to a student who has failed a test twice) — I'll give you one more .... 13. International youth festivals give young people from different countries . . . to understand each other better. 14. Equality of . . . is very difficult to achieve because of differing home backgrounds. 15. It was her last ... of a holiday. 16. There are unlimited ... for development in this field.
