opportunity to select

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "opportunity to select" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the chance or possibility to make a choice or decision among options. Example: "The new software provides users with the opportunity to select their preferred settings for a personalized experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I hope I get another opportunity to select them in a final because I'll sleep easier.

The Guardian - Sport

"They gave us the opportunity to select the works that best complemented the collection".

The New York Times - Arts

Primaries offer voters an opportunity to select a party candidate themselves.

The New York Times

Several remember being simply offered the opportunity to select a "kinder, gentler treatment".

The Economist

Later in their degree programme, both film and photography students may have an opportunity to select a specialism.

The Guardian

When citizens have no real opportunity to select their leaders, grievances fester, and violence may be close behind.

The New York Times - Books

They would be given the opportunity to select and choose materials that meet the needs of each pupil.

The New York Times

"The farmer or the gardener has the opportunity to select the type that is best for their farm," he said.

The New York Times

This will give my Labour party colleagues an opportunity to select a new candidate to put forward at the next election".

The Guardian

With an independent commission, more candidates would emerge in newly competitive districts and voters would be empowered by the opportunity to select among diverse candidates with divergent views.

The New York Times

It will be the first time voters have the opportunity to select a new Parliament since 2005, when Mr. Maliki came to power.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "opportunity to select" to clearly indicate that someone has a chance to make a choice from a range of options. This is especially effective in formal contexts or when emphasizing empowerment or decision-making authority.

Common error

While grammatically correct, frequently using "opportunity to select" in casual conversation can sound overly formal. Opt for simpler alternatives like "chance to choose" or "option to pick" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "opportunity to select" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object of a verb, indicating the availability of a chance to make a choice. According to Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "opportunity to select" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to denote the availability of a chance to make a choice from a set of options. According to Ludwig, the expression is correct and usable in written English. It is very common, appearing frequently in diverse contexts such as news, science, and formal business communications. While appropriate for formal settings, simpler alternatives like "chance to choose" may be preferred in informal contexts to avoid sounding overly stiff. As highlighted by Ludwig's examples, "opportunity to select" conveys empowerment and the ability to make informed decisions. When writing, ensure that the tone and context align with the intended message, and consider the potential for overuse in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chance to choose

Focuses on the availability of a chance, replacing "opportunity" with "chance" and "select" with "choose".

option to pick

Emphasizes the availability of an option, substituting "opportunity" with "option" and "select" with "pick".

ability to choose

Highlights the capacity to choose, replacing "opportunity" with "ability" and "select" with "choose".

freedom to select

Stresses the liberty to select, replacing "opportunity" with "freedom".

scope to choose

Indicates the extent of choosing, replacing "opportunity" with "scope" and "select" with "choose".

room to pick

Suggests the allowance for selection, replacing "opportunity" with "room" and "select" with "pick".

the power to choose

Focuses on the power dynamic, shifting from opportunity to empowerment in selection.

the choice to make

Highlights the ability to make a choice, reorganizing the sentence structure.

a chance for selection

Reorders the phrase emphasizing the chance related to the act of selection itself.

an avenue for choosing

Highlights the channel or path for making choices, shifting the focus to the means of selection.

FAQs

How to use "opportunity to select" in a sentence?

The phrase "opportunity to select" is used to indicate that someone is given a chance to choose from a set of options. For example, "The company provides employees with an opportunity to select their benefits package".

What can I say instead of "opportunity to select"?

You can use alternatives like "chance to choose", "option to pick", or "ability to choose" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "opportunity to select" or "opportunity of selecting"?

"Opportunity to select" is generally preferred. "Opportunity of selecting" is grammatically correct but less common and can sound more formal. "Opportunity to select" directly implies the action of choosing.

What's the difference between "opportunity to select" and "option to select"?

"Opportunity to select" refers to a broader chance or favorable time to make a choice. "Option to select" emphasizes the existence of alternatives from which to choose. The former highlights the occasion, while the latter highlights the choice itself.