Understanding ‘Chance’: A Key IELTS Vocabulary Word
Learn about the word ‘chance’ for your IELTS preparation. This video covers its use as a noun and verb, meanings, etymology, antonyms, synonyms, example sentences, and common usage errors. Improve your vocabulary skills and boost your IELTS score with this essential English word.
Have you ever won a prize in a raffle or found money on the street? If so, you’ve experienced something by chance.
Today, we’re going to learn about the word chance, an important vocabulary item for your IELTS preparation.
Word type: Chance can be used as both a noun and a verb in English.
Meaning: As a noun, chance means the possibility of something happening, especially something good or something you want.
It can also mean an opportunity or a situation that allows something to happen. As a verb, to chance means to do something without planning it, or to risk doing something.
Word history: The word chance comes from Old French, which got it from Latin. It’s been part of the English language for hundreds of years.
Antonyms: Some opposites of chance include certainty, sureness, and inevitability.
Synonyms: Words with similar meanings to chance include opportunity, possibility, likelihood, and prospect.
Examples use in sentences: Let’s look at how to use chance in sentences. As a noun: There’s a good chance of rain tomorrow, so take an umbrella.
Or: He didn’t give me a chance to explain. As a verb: I chanced upon an old friend at the supermarket.
Common errors in use: Be careful not to confuse chance with occasion. We say take a chance, not take an occasion.
Also, remember that when we talk about possibility, we say there is a chance, not there is chance. Chance is a versatile and common word in English.
It’s often used in everyday conversations and in IELTS speaking and writing tasks. Practice using it in different contexts to improve your vocabulary skills and boost your IELTS score.
