opportunity presented itself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "opportunity presented itself" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that a chance or favorable position has arisen, usually in a sudden or unexpected way. Here is an example sentence: When I was job searching, an unexpected opportunity presented itself and I was able to secure the position.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Then an opportunity presented itself.

The New York Times

The opportunity presented itself, irresistibly.

The Guardian - Books

And so when the Argentinians invaded the opportunity presented itself.

The Guardian - Opinion

Whenever a new opportunity presented itself, he said yes.

The New Yorker

Albion duly attacked in numbers when the opportunity presented itself.

The Guardian - Sport

"The opportunity presented itself, and I tried it," Jeter said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Jeff kind of wanted us to run when the opportunity presented itself," Sprewell said.

The New York Times - Sports

Finally, in recent weeks, opportunity presented itself, and almost immediately was squandered.

The New Yorker

I absolutely would vote to overturn Roe v. Wade if the opportunity presented itself".

The New Yorker

But there was energy left to chase when an opportunity presented itself.

The Guardian - Sport

But if the opportunity presented itself to stay here, I was going to stay here".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "opportunity presented itself" when you want to emphasize the spontaneous or unexpected nature of a chance. For a stronger effect, you can combine this phrase with adverbs, such as 'unexpectedly' or 'suddenly', to emphasize its unplanned nature.

Common error

Avoid redundancy by not using the passive voice unnecessarily. Instead of "The opportunity was presented itself", use the active form: "The opportunity presented itself".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "opportunity presented itself" functions as an independent clause often introducing a description of subsequent actions. As shown by Ludwig, it indicates the start of a favorable chance or situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "opportunity presented itself" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the arrival of a favorable chance or situation, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is primarily used in news and media, with a neutral register suitable for various contexts. While numerous related phrases exist, such as "a chance arose" or "a window of opportunity appeared", understanding the nuances of each can enhance your writing. Remember to use the active voice and avoid unnecessary passive constructions to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a window of opportunity appeared

Suggests a limited timeframe for the opportunity.

chance arose

Focuses on the 'chance' aspect of the situation, less formal.

the occasion offered itself

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of expressing the same idea.

an avenue opened up

Implies a path or method became available to achieve something.

an opening became available

Implies a specific position or possibility became accessible.

the time was ripe

Indicates the timing was perfect for a particular action.

the moment arrived

Highlights the timing of the opportunity.

the stage was set

Suggests that all necessary conditions were in place.

circumstances allowed

Emphasizes the enabling conditions for something to happen.

the situation permitted

Similar to 'circumstances allowed', but more focused on the immediate context.

FAQs

How can I use "opportunity presented itself" in a sentence?

Use "opportunity presented itself" to indicate that a favorable chance or situation arose unexpectedly. For example: "When the "opportunity presented itself", she seized it without hesitation".

What are some alternatives to "opportunity presented itself"?

You can use phrases like "a "chance arose"", "a "window of opportunity appeared"", or "the moment arrived" as alternatives to "opportunity presented itself", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "opportunity presented itself" formal or informal?

"Opportunity presented itself" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its suitability depends on the overall tone of your writing.

What does "opportunity presented itself" mean?

"Opportunity presented itself" means that a favorable or advantageous situation arose or became available, often unexpectedly. It suggests that someone was ready and able to take advantage of the situation when it occurred.