only opportunity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only opportunity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that a particular chance or possibility is the sole one available in a given context. Example: "This is the only opportunity we have to secure funding for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This is our only opportunity".

The New York Times

That was not the only opportunity, however.

The New York Times - Sports

This is the only opportunity we have".

The New York Times

No job awaited him, only opportunity.

The New York Times - Sports

"Xstrata is not the only opportunity.

The New York Times

It has only opportunity in front of it.

The New Yorker

Still, Stuy Town is not the only opportunity out there.

The Economist

Citigroup was not the only opportunity Mr. Parsons considered recently.

The New York Times

They now seem to be the only opportunity.

The Guardian

It was my only opportunity to return to a normal life.

Independent

"I realized it was my only opportunity to wear a mini dress to Pride," she said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only opportunity" to clearly communicate that there are no alternative options, emphasizing the importance of the present moment. Make sure this is factual and not just rhetorical.

Common error

Avoid using "only opportunity" when other viable options exist. Overstating uniqueness can undermine your credibility if alternatives are apparent to the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only opportunity" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It is used to denote a unique or singular chance available. Ludwig AI's examples illustrate its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "only opportunity" is a common and grammatically sound way to emphasize that a particular chance is singular and non-repeatable. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is prevalent across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, make sure that you are not overstating the uniqueness of the opportunity, and that no viable alternatives exist. Alternatives such as "sole chance" or "unique opportunity" can be used to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sole chance

Replaces "opportunity" with "chance" emphasizing the singularity of the possibility.

unique opportunity

Replaces "only" with "unique", highlighting the special nature of the opportunity.

exclusive opportunity

Emphasizes the limited availability and privileged access.

single possibility

Focuses on the aspect of the chance being a single one.

last chance

Indicates this is the final opportunity available.

golden opportunity

Highlights the high value and potential of the opportunity.

one shot

An informal way of saying only one attempt is available.

best bet

Suggests this is the most promising option.

window of opportunity

Emphasizes the limited time frame in which the opportunity is available.

the only game in town

An idiomatic expression implying no other options exist.

FAQs

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

You can use "only opportunity" to emphasize that there is no other chance to do something. For example, "This is our "only opportunity" to make a change".

What are some alternatives to "only opportunity"?

Some alternatives include "sole chance", "unique opportunity", or "last chance" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "only opportunity"?

Use "only opportunity" when you want to stress the importance and urgency of a situation, indicating that failure to act now means missing out completely.

Is there a difference between "only opportunity" and "unique opportunity"?

While both phrases suggest a special circumstance, "only opportunity" emphasizes the lack of alternatives, whereas "unique opportunity" highlights the distinct or exceptional nature of the chance itself.