Cool MateChance vs This was our shot
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Chance
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
This was our shot
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Chance
| Chance | This was our shot | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/tʃɑːns/"]/🇺🇸 /["/tʃæns/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðɪs wəz aʊə ʃɒt//🇺🇸 //ðɪs wəz aʊər ʃɑt// |
| Meaning | A possibility of something happening. | This was our chance. |
| Example | She took a chance and applied for the job, despite her doubts. | This was our shot at winning the championship. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | excellent, good, high, give somebody, be in with, have, by any chance, chance of, chance for, fat chance, have every chance, no chance!, equal, fair, good, element, get, have, deserve, arise, come, come your way, chance at, given the chance, half a chance, let a chance slip, take, chance on, chance with, mere, pure, sheer, leave something to, by chance, due to chance, through chance, a game of chance, take your chances | missed shot, take a shot, give it a shot, last shot, final shot |
| Antonyms | certainty, inevitability | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'change' in spoken English., Using 'chance' as a verb incorrectly., Saying 'a chance to do' when it should be 'chance of doing'. | Misusing 'shot' in a formal context., Confusing with 'this is our shot' which implies it's still a chance., Translating direct meanings without understanding the idiomatic sense. |
| Usage notes | Use 'chance' when discussing the likelihood of an event. It's appropriate in both spoken and written contexts but avoid using it in very formal documents. It can often be replaced with 'opportunity' when talking about the possibility for success. | Used in contexts expressing a missed opportunity or hope. Suitable for conversations about experiences or goals, but might be informal in serious contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Chance vs This was our shot
What's the difference between Chance and This was our shot?
Chance: A possibility of something happening. This was our shot: This was our chance.
Which is more common: Chance and This was our shot?
Chance is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Chance: She took a chance and applied for the job, despite her doubts. This was our shot: This was our shot at winning the championship.
Can I use Chance and This was our shot interchangeably?
Not always. Chance and This was our shot are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.