We useopportunityto talk about a situation in which we can do something that we want to do.Opportunityis most commonly followed by a verb in theto-infinitive form, orof+-ingform:
I had theopportunityto go to university when I was younger but I didn’t. Now I wish I had gone.
Not:I had the possibility…
A:I’ve been waiting for anopportunityto talk to you privately. Are you free now?
B:Yes. What is it about?
Not: …waiting for a possibility to…
This walk provides theopportunityof seeing some beautiful countryside.
We usepossibilityto talk about something that may happen or be true.Possibilityis normally followed byof +noun phrase orof + -ingform, or by athat-clause:
I had never even thought of thepossibilityof working in the USA until I was offered a job there in 1998.
Not: …the possibility to work in the USA…
Thepossibilitythat there is life on other planets in the universe has always inspired scientists.
We don’t say ‘have the possibility’:
I would love to have anopportunityto meet the Prime Minister.
Not:I would love to have the possibility to meet…