Cool MateA chance maybe vs Likelihood vs Opportunity vs Option vs Possibility
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
A chance maybe
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Likelihood
Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
Opportunity
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
Option
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
Possibility
Top 2,000 (common)A2noun
| A chance maybe | Likelihood | Opportunity | Option | Possibility | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ə tʃɑːns ˈmeɪbi//🇺🇸 //ə tʃæns ˈmeɪbi// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈlaɪklihʊd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈlaɪklihʊd/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌɒpəˈtjuːnəti/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌɑːpərˈtuːnəti/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɒpʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɑːpʃn/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌpɒsəˈbɪləti/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌpɑːsəˈbɪləti/"]/ |
| Meaning | An opportunity that might happen. | The chance that something will happen. | A chance to do something or improve your situation. | A choice or possibility. | Something that might happen or be true. |
| Example | There’s a chance maybe we’ll get to see the concert after all. | There is very little likelihood of that happening. | She seized the opportunity to travel abroad for her studies. | You have the option to choose your own adventure in the story. | There is a possibility of rain tomorrow, so take your umbrella. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | C1 | A2 | A2 | A2 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun | noun | noun | |
| Collocations | take a chance maybe, give it a chance maybe, there is a chance maybe | every, greater, increased, decrease, diminish, lessen, grow, diminish, likelihood for, likelihood of, in all likelihood | ample, considerable, plenty of, have, find, get, exist, arise, come, opportunity for, at the earliest opportunity, at the first (possible) opportunity, at every available opportunity | available, possible, viable, choose, exercise, select, keep your options open, leave your options open, available, possible, viable, choose, exercise, select, keep your options open, leave your options open, first, share, stock, have, exercise, take, option on, available, possible, viable, choose, exercise, select, keep your options open, leave your options open | exciting, interesting, intriguing, allow somebody, create, offer somebody, exist, remain, possibility for, possibility of, not beyond the bounds of possibility, within the realm of possibility, a number of possibilities, exciting, interesting, intriguing, allow somebody, create, offer somebody, exist, remain, possibility for, possibility of, not beyond the bounds of possibility, within the realm of possibility, a number of possibilities |
| Antonyms | - | unlikelihood, improbability | obstacle, hindrance, barrier | obligation, constraint | impossibility, certainty |
| Common mistakes | Misuse it when trying to express certainty., Omitting a comma in written form., Confusing with 'a chances' - 'chance' is singular. | Confusing 'likelihood' with 'likely'., Using 'likelihood' as a countable noun instead of uncountable., Mixing up the preposition, saying 'likelihood for' instead of 'likelihood of'. | Confused with 'chance'—they are similar but 'opportunity' often implies a better or more favorable condition., Using it inappropriately in negative contexts—'opportunity' usually has a positive connotation. | Confused with 'choice' — 'option' suggests multiple possibilities, while 'choice' may imply a selection., Misusing in singular — 'options' is often more appropriate when discussing more than one., Using as a verb — 'option' is a noun, not a verb. | Confusing 'possibility' with 'probability' (possibility is broader)., Using 'possibility' when a more definite word like 'surety' is needed., Incorrectly using it as a verb instead of a noun. |
| Usage notes | Use when suggesting a possibility, but not guaranteed. Casual, often used in conversation or informal writing. | Use 'likelihood' in discussions of probability. It's neutral, suitable for academic and everyday contexts, but avoid it in very casual conversations. | Used in both formal and informal contexts. It's appropriate for discussing career chances, events, or possibilities. Avoid using in overly casual situations. | Use 'option' when talking about available choices. It's appropriate in both casual and formal settings but less common in very informal speech. Avoid using it when there are no choices to make. | Use 'possibility' when discussing potential events or situations. It's suitable for both spoken and written language. Avoid informal contexts where simpler words may be more appropriate. |
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Frequently asked questions: A chance maybe vs Likelihood vs Opportunity vs Option vs Possibility
What's the difference between A chance maybe, Likelihood, Opportunity, Option, and Possibility?
A chance maybe: An opportunity that might happen. Likelihood: The chance that something will happen. Opportunity: A chance to do something or improve your situation. Option: A choice or possibility. Possibility: Something that might happen or be true.
Which is more advanced: A chance maybe, Likelihood, Opportunity, Option, and Possibility?
Likelihood is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
A chance maybe: There’s a chance maybe we’ll get to see the concert after all. Likelihood: There is very little likelihood of that happening. Opportunity: She seized the opportunity to travel abroad for her studies. Option: You have the option to choose your own adventure in the story. Possibility: There is a possibility of rain tomorrow, so take your umbrella.
Can I use A chance maybe, Likelihood, Opportunity, Option, and Possibility interchangeably?
Not always. A chance maybe, Likelihood, Opportunity, Option, and Possibility 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.