narrow opportunity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "narrow opportunity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a limited or restricted chance for success or advancement in a particular situation. Example: "The job market is tough right now, and many candidates are facing a narrow opportunity to secure employment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

From that narrow opportunity, he molted into a competitive politician and became the people's choice in a difficult time.

The New York Times

January is the month known in Hollywood as the dumping ground, which seems an unreasonably narrow opportunity given the quality of American cinema these days.

The Guardian - Film

Still, Somalia is in far better shape than it has been since the last functioning central government collapsed in 1991, and Western officials say there is a narrow opportunity right now to make sure the country continues this momentum and does not slide back into war.

The New York Times

Narrow opportunity windows for seam startups will require laser focus and rapid execution.

TechCrunch

"That sort of liberalism holds no truck for ideologies that seek to close minds or narrow opportunity.

BBC

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov jumped at the narrow opportunity.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

What balanced out the narrow opportunities of the neighborhood was a vivid sense of community and a defiant pride.

The New Yorker

Van Gerwen was always going to start quickly and so he did, making it clear in the first few sets that he would not easily and instantly offer Taylor those narrow opportunities he thrives on.

Independent

Taken together, the two records are complex, compendious celebrations of the kind of superstar lifestyle that had fallen from favour in rock music, with a keen sense of the low expectations and narrow opportunities that their creators had escaped.

The Guardian - Music

His original intention had been to become a graduate student in ornithology, but as he learned of the narrow opportunities in the field, the difficulties in getting a job, and the limited salaries offered, he adopted an alternative plan.

Science Magazine

At public colleges "they're being conditioned for lives with few second chances, no extensions, little support, narrow opportunity--lives of subordination, supervision, and control, lives of deadlines, not guidelines.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing time-sensitive situations, use "narrow opportunity" to convey the urgency and the need for swift action. For example: "There is a "narrow opportunity" to implement these changes before the deadline."

Common error

Avoid using "narrow opportunity" when the situation actually presents numerous possibilities. It's better to use it when describing a distinctly limited or time-constrained scenario.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "narrow opportunity" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "narrow" modifies the noun "opportunity". It describes the quality of the opportunity as being limited or restricted. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples from varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "narrow opportunity" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a limited or restricted chance. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's most common in news and media, science, and academic contexts. While not overly frequent, its usage is consistent, making it suitable for various writing styles where conveying scarcity or urgency is key. When using this phrase, be mindful of potential overstatements and consider alternatives like "limited chance" or "slim prospect" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited chance

Focuses on the probabilistic aspect, implying a reduced likelihood of success.

restricted possibility

Emphasizes constraints that limit the feasibility of something happening.

slim prospect

Highlights the thin or faint nature of the potential for success.

limited scope

Refers to the extent or range of the available opportunity being small.

rare opening

Suggests that the opportunity is infrequent and not readily available.

fleeting moment

Highlights the temporal aspect, emphasizing the brief duration of the opportunity.

tight window

Uses a spatial metaphor to describe the limited timeframe available.

circumscribed avenue

Emphasizes that the way to achieve success is limited.

confined space

Employs a spatial analogy to convey the limited area or resources available for advancement.

modest potential

Focuses on the small or unremarkable nature of the opportunity's capacity for growth or development.

FAQs

How can I use "narrow opportunity" in a sentence?

You can use "narrow opportunity" to describe a limited or restricted chance for success or advancement in a particular situation. For example, "The company's restructuring created a "narrow opportunity" for promotions this year."

What are some alternatives to "narrow opportunity"?

Alternatives include "limited chance", "restricted possibility", or "slim prospect", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "narrow opportunity" or "limited opportunity"?

"Narrow opportunity" and "limited opportunity" are often interchangeable. "Narrow opportunity" might emphasize a short timeframe or specific criteria, while "limited opportunity" is a more general term for few chances.

What is the difference between a "narrow opportunity" and a "window of opportunity"?

A "narrow opportunity" implies a limited or restricted chance, while a "window of opportunity" suggests a specific timeframe where a chance is available. Both suggest constraints, but the "window" emphasizes timing.