unequal opportunity

USAGE SUMMARY

"unequal opportunity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it any time to refer to a situation in which people of different races, genders, or social classes do not have an equal chance of success in a particular area. For example: "Despite recent legal reforms, many marginalized communities in the US still face unequal opportunity when it comes to employment and education."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Until we overcome that history, we cannot overcome unequal opportunity".

The New Yorker

The central ideas in the Princeton team's winning entry concern unequal opportunity and inequitable outcome.

Princeton University

It is unjust because people have unequal opportunity to access resources and to earn a livable income.

University of California, Berkeley

Assisting clients within the labor force with issues and conditions that interfere with their employment, including discrimination and unequal opportunity.

Columbia University

As in America, politicians were attacking the symptom (music that condones violence) instead of the diseases: unemployment, poverty, ghetto conditions and unequal opportunity.

The New York Times - Arts

What Mitt Romney a few days ago called "the bitter politics of envy," President Obama's chief economic adviser instead described Thursday as the basic economics of unequal opportunity.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

We have become both a more unequal society and a society with more unequal opportunities.

The New York Times

The lack of women in leadership positions, such as politics, has caused unequal opportunities.

The Guardian

Liberals tend, however, to infer unequal opportunities from the fact of unequal outcomes.

The Washington Post

And then to protest the Vietnam war, racism, and unequal opportunities.

Harvard University

"It sticks out as a special kind of unearned benefit that produces unequal opportunities," Mr. Nozick said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing systemic issues, use "unequal opportunity" to highlight disparities in access to education, employment, and other vital resources. For example: "Systemic racism leads to "unequal opportunity" for minority communities."

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "unequal opportunity", which refers to disparities in access and chances, with unequal outcome, which refers to differences in results regardless of opportunity. Addressing "unequal opportunity" aims to level the playing field, while addressing unequal outcomes may involve different strategies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unequal opportunity" functions as a noun phrase typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. It denotes a situation where fairness is compromised due to disparities in access or advantages, as exemplified in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

32%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unequal opportunity" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term to describe situations where individuals or groups do not have the same chances for success due to various systemic barriers. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is suitable for discussing disparities in areas like education, employment, and social mobility. While often used interchangeably with terms like "lack of equal access", it's important to distinguish "unequal opportunity" from unequal outcome, focusing on the disparity in chances rather than results. This phrase is commonly found in news media, academic research, and formal discussions, highlighting its relevance in addressing societal imbalances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of equal access

Focuses on the absence of equitable access to resources and services.

disparity in opportunities

Highlights the imbalance and difference in available chances.

inequitable prospects

Emphasizes the unfairness in future possibilities and potential.

uneven playing field

Uses a metaphor to describe a situation where advantages are not equally distributed.

imbalanced chances

Directly points out the lack of equilibrium in the likelihood of success.

unfair advantage

Focuses on how other people have an injustice in access to the resources.

discriminatory access

Draws attention to the discriminatory practices affecting who gets opportunities.

limited upward mobility

Addresses the restricted ability to improve one's social or economic status.

skewed possibilities

Indicates that the range of potential outcomes is unfairly distorted.

differential treatment

Spotlights how different groups receive varying levels of consideration and support.

FAQs

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

You can use "unequal opportunity" to describe situations where some people or groups have fewer chances to succeed than others, such as: ""Unequal opportunity" in education perpetuates cycles of poverty."

What are some alternatives to "unequal opportunity"?

Alternatives include "lack of equal access", "disparity in opportunities", or "inequitable prospects", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "unequal opportunities" instead of "unequal opportunity"?

While "unequal opportunities" is grammatically correct, "unequal opportunity" is often used to refer to the systemic issue in general. Using the plural form emphasizes individual instances of disparity.

What is the difference between "unequal opportunity" and unequal outcome?

"Unequal opportunity" refers to the lack of fair access and chances, while unequal outcome refers to the resulting differences in achievement or status. Addressing "unequal opportunity" aims to create a level playing field.