这些名词均含“机会”之意。
chance : 侧重指偶然或意外的机会，有时也指正常或好的机会。
- I didn't get/have a chance to speak to her.
我没有机会跟她说话。 - If you give me a chance to speak, I'll explain.
要是你给我个说话的机会，我会解释的。 - Society has to give prisoners a second chance when they come out of jail.
犯人出狱后社会必须再给他们一次机会。 - He left and I missed my chance to say goodbye to him.
他走了，我失去了跟他道别的机会。 - I'd go now given half a chance (= if I had the slightest opportunity).
要有丁点儿机会我现在就会走。
opportunity : 侧重指有利或适合于采取行动，以达到某一目的或实现某种愿望的最佳时机或机会。
- Everyone will have an opportunity to comment.
每个人都有机会发表意见。 - I was never given the opportunity of going to college.
我从没有得到过上大学的机会。 - The exhibition is a unique opportunity to see her later work.
这次展览是欣赏她后期作品的难得的机会。 - An ankle injury meant she missed the opportunity to run in the qualifying heat.
脚踝受伤意味着她失去了参加资格赛的机会。 - Please contact us at the earliest opportunity (= as soon as possible).
请尽快和我们联系。 - He goes fishing at every opportunity (= as often as possible).
他一有机会就去钓鱼。 - I used to love going out dancing, but I don't get much opportunity now.
我过去喜欢去剧院，但现在我没有什么机会去。 - He had a golden (= an extremely good) opportunity to score in the first half but squandered it.
他在上半场时有一个绝佳的射门得分机会，可是给浪费掉了。
occasion : 指特殊时机或良机，也指时节。
- The 200th anniversary of Mozart's death was the occasion for hundreds of special films, books and concerts.
为纪念莫扎特逝世200周年，出现了数以百计的专题电影、书籍及音乐会。 - An occasion may arise when you can use your knowledge of French.
可能有机会让你用用法语。 - The bride took/used the occasion to make a short speech.
新娘利用这个机会简短地讲了几句。
