got the chance

USAGE SUMMARY

"got the chance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you talk about a situation in which someone was fortunate and had the opportunity to do something. For example: "I'm so glad I got the chance to go sailing in the Mediterranean this summer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

They never got the chance.

The New Yorker

He never got the chance.

The New York Times - Sports

But we never got the chance.

The New York Times

But I never got the chance.

The New York Times

Yet he never got the chance.

The New York Times

But he never got the chance.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

If he gets the chance.

The New York Times - Sports

"Finally, we get the chance".

Independent

But Anderson would never get the chance.

The New Yorker

Dominguez did not get the chance.

The New York Times - Sports

They didn't get the chance.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "got the chance" to convey a sense of opportunism and good fortune. It's particularly effective in narratives where someone seizes an unexpected or unique opportunity.

Common error

While "got the chance" is perfectly acceptable in many situations, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "was afforded the opportunity" or "had the occasion" /s/afforded+the+opportunity to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got the chance" functions as a verb phrase, typically acting as the predicate of a clause. It indicates that a subject received or seized an opportunity to perform an action. Ludwig's examples demonstrate usage in varied narrative and descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sports

18%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "got the chance" is a common and generally acceptable phrase used to express that someone received an opportunity. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, remember that it leans towards the informal side. For formal writing, consider options like "had the opportunity" or "was afforded the possibility". The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media contexts, but its usage extends to sports and general narratives as well. Therefore, when writing in a formal register, be mindful of the alternatives to ensure your tone remains professional and polished.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was presented with an opportunity

Stresses the fact that the opportunity was offered or shown.

had the opportunity

More formal alternative, emphasizing the availability of a favorable circumstance.

was given the chance

Highlights the act of someone granting the opportunity.

was afforded the possibility

A more formal way of expressing that an opportunity was granted.

had the occasion

Implies a specific event or situation that allowed for something to happen.

was able to

Focuses on the ability to do something, which may or may not be due to a specific opportunity.

managed to

Emphasizes the effort involved in achieving something when an opportunity arises.

was in a position to

Highlights the state or condition that allowed the action.

found myself in a situation to

Similar to 'was in a position to' but with a sense of surprise or unexpectedness.

had an opening

Suggests a gap or space in time or circumstances that allowed something to occur.

FAQs

What does "got the chance" mean?

The phrase "got the chance" means that someone had an opportunity to do something, often implying a degree of luck or favorable circumstances.

How can I use "got the chance" in a sentence?

You can use "got the chance" to describe a situation where someone had an opening or possibility to do something. For example, "I finally "got the chance" to travel to Europe this year."

What are some alternatives to "got the chance"?

Alternatives to "got the chance" include phrases like "had the opportunity", "was given the chance", or "had the occasion". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "got the chance" formal or informal?

"Got the chance" is generally considered informal. In more formal contexts, you might prefer phrases like "was afforded the opportunity" or "had the opportunity".