The phrase "take advantage of" is usually perceived as negative. Is there a word or a phrase with a similar meaning which would convey a more positive meaning? Akin to "make use of the situation" but more refined.
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"Games and songs provide the perfect opportunity for classroom interaction and language development."
and also Golden opportunity - a very good chance to do or achieve something
answered Jul 24 '13 at 7:30
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You can try harness
: utilize
Or change the sentence structure where you can use the word "leverage"
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To say "take advantage of someone" definitely has a negative connotation, but not necessarily so when you say "take advantage of an opportunity". Even to say "to take advantage of someone's knowledge" isn't necessarily negative.
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2The context is very sensitive, as the same party that's taking advantage of the situation can be regarded as either good or bad. – Suzy Jul 24 '13 at 7:07
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A positive use:- I'm going to sit in my garden and take advantage of this glorious weather
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A verb that is widely used in Irish English (but in Britain sounds slightly old-fashioned) is
to avail of
For example, you can avail of a special offer, or avail of someone's generosity.
I do not know if this is used in the US.
answered Jul 24 '13 at 9:12
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@moonstar2001, the elliptical ‘avail of’ is not grammatically incorrect as such, it is just rarer and more old-fashioned (except in Ireland). Especially Shakespeare was fond of the elliptical construction; and when used in the passive, only the elliptical version is found: “Power must be availed of” (Emerson, Conduct of Life). – Janus Bahs Jacquet Jul 24 '13 at 10:10
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I'm writing a paper and need a way of saying 'to take advantage of' an opportunity in a way that is neutral and can be used by either a profit or nonprofit firm that perceives an opportunity to satisfy a human need. The closest word I have found is 'seize' an opportunity. This term is used in a framework for Dynamic Capabilities described by David Teece in 2007.
