when opportunities arise

USAGE SUMMARY

'when opportunities arise' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to a situation in which an opportunity presents itself. For example, "We need to be prepared to take advantage of opportunities when they arise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

So when opportunities arise, we have a bench of strong women candidates ready to go.

The Guardian - Opinion

Spencer's penchant for getting injured when opportunities arise is frustrating him.

The New York Times - Sports

Follow individuals in your industry and reach out, so they remember you when opportunities arise.

The Guardian

But they said he will try to score a political point when opportunities arise.

The New York Times

Frustrated at being abandoned for long periods, Lainee indulges in casual affairs when opportunities arise.

The New York Times

Clubs of investors are being pre-cleared so they can pick up bank charters quickly when opportunities arise.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

All of that got bundled into not being a naysayer when opportunities arose.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But overall, the military's most senior people resisted using their combat forces as crime-busters, except when opportunities arose to seize weapons.

The New York Times

Up front Swansea had willing runners in the shape of Fabio Borini, Scott Sinclair and the excellent Nathan Dyer, who all broke with pace and ambition when opportunities arose.

BBC

Since that pivotal conversation, they kept in touch and combined their efforts when opportunities arose.

Huffington Post

Furthermore, the difference in primary language between the two provinces may have discouraged social mixing when opportunities arose.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when opportunities arise" to emphasize proactive readiness. For instance, "Develop key skills so you are prepared when opportunities arise."

Common error

Avoid using "if opportunities arise" when certainty is implied. "When" suggests that the opportunities will certainly happen, whereas "if" introduces doubt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when opportunities arise" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause by indicating when the action in the main clause takes place. It sets a temporal condition for the occurrence of the main event. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "when opportunities arise" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adverbial clause of time, indicating preparedness and anticipation. Ludwig confirms its proper usage. It is particularly prevalent in News & Media and Science contexts, suggesting a neutral register appropriate for various communications. To enhance writing, remember to emphasize proactive readiness and differentiate it from the conditional "if opportunities arise". Consider alternatives like "when chances present themselves" or "should the occasion arise" for varied phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when chances present themselves

Replaces "opportunities" with "chances" and "arise" with "present themselves", altering the phrasing while maintaining the core meaning.

as opportunities occur

Substitutes "arise" with "occur", providing a slightly more formal tone.

when favorable moments appear

Uses "favorable moments" to replace "opportunities", focusing on the positive aspect of the situation.

when openings become available

Replaces "opportunities" with "openings" and "arise" with "become available", focusing on availability.

when circumstances permit

Shifts the focus to the circumstances allowing action, rather than the opportunities themselves.

should the occasion arise

Introduces a conditional tone, implying a possibility rather than a certainty.

in opportune moments

Uses a more formal tone and emphasizes the suitability of the timing.

if the time is right

Offers a more concise and informal alternative, emphasizing timing.

given the right conditions

Focuses on the necessary preconditions for action, rather than the opportunity itself.

at the first chance

Highlights immediacy, suggesting taking action as soon as possible.

FAQs

How can I use "when opportunities arise" in a sentence?

You can use "when opportunities arise" to indicate readiness and preparedness. For example, "The company plans to expand when opportunities arise in the international market."

What's a more formal alternative to "when opportunities arise"?

A more formal alternative could be "should the occasion arise", which introduces a conditional tone suitable for formal contexts.

Is there a difference between "when opportunities arise" and "if opportunities arise"?

Yes, "when opportunities arise" implies that opportunities are expected, while "if opportunities arise" suggests uncertainty about whether they will occur.

What does it mean to be prepared "when opportunities arise"?

Being prepared "when opportunities arise" means having the necessary skills, resources, and mindset to take advantage of favorable situations as they occur. It emphasizes proactive readiness.