nearest opportunity

USAGE SUMMARY

"nearest opportunity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the soonest or most convenient chance or time to do something. For example, "I will take advantage of the nearest opportunity to tell her my thoughts".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Or maybe that younger generation will take a lead from the visitors at the end of "Hay Fever" and flee at the nearest opportunity.

The New York Times - Arts

In the study reported here, we addressed a vehicle routing problem to optimize accessibility based on six indicators: the number of zones with access to opportunities with delimited mobility, the number of zones covered by the route, the cost of travel, the distance to the nearest opportunity, the number of opportunities, and geographical disaggregation.

Journal of Cleaner Production

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Consequently, we are including herewith the amount paid for, equals to $1. Hopping to be more successfully in a nearer opportunity we beg to remain.

The New Yorker

Ekblom (1994) made a useful distinction between near and far causes of crime, with the rider that, as a near cause, opportunity had a more powerful and immediate effect on crime than criminal dispositions formed many years before.

Crime Science

Merry Miser provides interventions when a user is near an opportunity to spend.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"But it's clear to us that India is a much more near-term opportunity, and almost as big".

The New York Times

Neil MacCormick, a Scottish Nationalist MEP, called the debate "a near final opportunity to ensure the rights of small nations are safeguarded".

The Guardian

It should be the near-perfect opportunity for Cameron and George Osborne, a Cheshire MP, to create some "northern discomfort" for battered Gordon Brown.

The Guardian

Pitted against a flagging Guingamp, the trip to Brittany seemed a near-perfect opportunity to put pressure on their rivals, but it was not to be.

The Guardian - Sport

The application uses the context provided by a user's location and financial history to provide personalized interventions when the user is near an opportunity to spend.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Game over A fortnight or so before the demise of Eight Days and The Getaway, we had a near-unprecedented opportunity to check out the two doomed games at Sony Computer Entertainment's London Studio.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nearest opportunity" when you want to emphasize the immediacy or accessibility of a chance to do something. For example, "I'll address this issue at the nearest opportunity."

Common error

While "nearest opportunity" is acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "earliest convenience" or "soonest available time" in professional settings to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearest opportunity" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a preposition (e.g., "at the nearest opportunity") or as the subject or object of a verb implying action to be taken. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nearest opportunity" is a grammatically correct and usable noun phrase that signifies the soonest or most convenient chance to do something. Though not exceptionally common, it appears across various contexts, including news, science, and academia, as evidenced by the examples from Ludwig. While generally neutral in tone, more formal alternatives may be preferable in certain professional settings. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, highlighting its role in expressing proactive intent. When aiming for immediacy and convenience, "nearest opportunity" serves as a reliable choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

soonest chance

Focuses specifically on time; emphasizes the immediacy of the opportunity.

closest possibility

Highlights the proximity of the chance or event, not necessarily time.

most convenient moment

Emphasizes ease and suitability rather than mere closeness.

earliest moment possible

Implies urgency and a desire to act as quickly as one can.

most readily available option

Highlights the easy accessibility of the opportunity.

next best shot

Indicates a second chance or an alternative when the ideal one is missed.

proximate opening

Formal and technical, emphasizing the nearness of the occasion.

impending possibility

Focuses on the imminent arrival of a chance.

most accessible chance

Emphasizes the ease of obtaining or utilizing the chance.

forthcoming opportunity

Focuses on a chance that is predicted to happen or occur soon

FAQs

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

You can use "nearest opportunity" to indicate the soonest or most convenient time to do something. For example, "I will contact you at the "earliest convenience"" or "I'll raise this matter at the "next opportunity"".

What phrases are similar to "nearest opportunity"?

Similar phrases include "soonest chance", "closest possibility", and "most convenient moment", all indicating a chance that is close in time or location.

Is "nearest opportunity" formal or informal?

The phrase "nearest opportunity" is generally considered neutral. While acceptable in formal contexts, you might prefer a phrase like ""earliest convenience"" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "nearest opportunity" and "first opportunity"?

"Nearest opportunity" implies convenience or accessibility, while "first opportunity" simply means the very next chance, regardless of convenience. The nuance lies in whether ease or timing is more important.