📝 Daily Short Practice
🎯 Vocabulary Goal
Learn useful collocations with 'have' to talk about effects, chances and difficulties.
📚 Words & Phrases
| Word or phrase | Simple meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
have an effect |
to cause a change or result | The new law will have an effect on all workers. |
|
have a chance |
to have an opportunity to do something | You have a chance to win if you try hard. |
|
have difficulty |
to find something hard to do | She had difficulty understanding the instructions. |
🔍 See It in Context
Discussing Results, Opportunities, and Challenges
Mark and Sara talked about their jobs. Mark said the new schedule had an effect on his work-life balance. Sara explained she had a chance to present at the conference next month. However, she also mentioned she had difficulty finding time to prepare. They agreed that changes often have an effect on daily routines. Mark encouraged Sara to take the chance, even if it meant dealing with some difficulty.
💡 Notice the Pattern
Using 'have' with nouns: effect, chance, and difficulty
'Have' is followed by a noun and sometimes a preposition to form natural collocations. We say 'have an effect on something' to mean something changes results. We say 'have a chance to do something' to mean there is an opportunity. And we say 'have difficulty doing something' to show a problem or challenge.
- The cold weather has an effect on my mood.
- She has a chance to travel this summer.
💬 Useful Examples
- The medicine did not have an effect immediately.
- He has a good chance to pass the exam.
- They had difficulty solving the problem yesterday.
- We often have an effect on others without knowing.
✏️ Exercise 1 – Fill in the Blanks
1.
The teacher mentioned that the new rules will ____ on students' grades (have an effect / have a chance / have difficulty).
2.
She finally ____ to finish the project before the deadline (have difficulty / had a chance / have an effect).
3.
We ____ understanding the instructions for the new software (have a chance / have an effect / had difficulty).
4.
I think this decision will ____ on the entire company (have an effect / have a chance / have difficulty).
5.
You should take the opportunity because you ____ to speak with the manager (have difficulty / have a chance / have an effect).
🔗 Exercise 2 – Matching
1.
have an effect
2.
We had difficulty finishing the project on time.
3.
have a chance
4.
The new policy has an effect on employee schedules.
5.
She has a chance to win the competition.
✅ Exercise 3 – Multiple Choice
1.
What does 'have an effect' usually mean?
2.
If someone 'has difficulty' doing something, what does it mean?
3.
Which phrase shows an opportunity to do something?
4.
Choose the correct sentence:
5.
What is the correct collocation to say something influences your health?
📝 Use It Yourself
Write 2–3 sentences about a time you had a chance to do something and whether it had any effect or difficulty for you.
Example:
Last year, I had a chance to study abroad. It had a big effect on my confidence. At first, I had difficulty speaking English every day.
🎙️ Speaking Practice
Practice these sentences aloud.
Say:
I have difficulty waking up early during the week.
Say:
This change will have an effect on our team.
Say:
You have a chance to improve your skills at this workshop.
Ask:
Do you have difficulty understanding new vocabulary?
🔎 Answer Key
Exercise 1 – Fill in the Blanks
1. have an effect
2. had a chance
3. had difficulty
4. have an effect
5. have a chance
Exercise 2 – Matching
1. e – to cause a change or influence something
2. a – It was hard for us to complete the work before the deadline.
3. b – to have an opportunity to do something
4. c – The policy changes the times workers start and finish.
5. d – She might be successful if she tries her best.
Exercise 3 – Multiple Choice
1. to cause a change
2. they find it hard
3. have a chance
4. They have difficulty finishing the task.
5. have an effect on your health