option
High-frequency (B1+). Extremely common in all registers.Neutral. Appropriate and common in formal, academic, business, and informal contexts.
Definition
Meaning
One of a number of things from which only one can be chosen; a choice or alternative.
1. The act of choosing or selecting. 2. (Finance) A contract giving the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an asset at a set price. 3. (Computing) A setting or feature that can be selected in a program.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word implies a limited set of possibilities and often involves weighing one against another. In finance, it specifically refers to a derivative contract.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is virtually identical. Minor spelling differences in derivatives: 'optioned' vs. 'optioned'. The finance/legal meaning is identical.
Connotations
In both, it conveys a sense of deliberation and possibility.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to have the option of + gerund (I have the option of working from home)to have the option to + infinitive (You have the option to cancel)the option between X and Yoption on/for something (an option on the house)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Keep your options open”
- “A menu of options”
- “The nuclear option”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Common: 'stock options', 'purchase option', 'We need to explore all options.'
Academic
Common: 'theoretical options', 'methodological options', 'The study examined policy options.'
Everyday
Very common: 'What are my options?', 'The vegetarian option is delicious.', 'I'm keeping my options open.'
Technical
Specific meanings in finance (derivative contract) and computing (user-selectable setting).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The studio has optioned the film rights to the novel.
- We have optioned the land for future development.
American English
- The network optioned the pilot for a full series.
- He optioned the screenplay to a major studio.
adverb
British English
- The software can be optionally installed.
- Attendance is optionally recorded.
American English
- You can optionally add your phone number.
- The feature is enabled optionally.
adjective
British English
- It's an optional module in the third year.
- Air conditioning is an optional extra.
American English
- The extra warranty is optional.
- He took all the optional courses.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- You have the option of tea or coffee.
- The vegetarian option is pizza.
- We need to consider all our options before deciding.
- Leaving early is always an option.
- The contract includes an option to renew for a further year.
- He exercised his stock options when the share price peaked.
- The government is weighing its policy options in light of the economic forecast.
- The novel was optioned by a Hollywood studio, but the film was never made.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'opt' in 'option' – you 'opt' for one thing from several possibilities.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHOICE AS A PATHWAY (e.g., 'We went down that option'), CHOICE AS A COMMODITY (e.g., 'We have several options on the table').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation of 'вариант' in contexts where 'version' or 'model' is better (e.g., 'the new variant of the car' -> 'model'). 'Опция' is a common loanword in Russian but is more specific (an extra feature).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'choice' and 'option' as perfect synonyms in all contexts (a 'choice' is the act of selecting, an 'option' is what is available to be chosen). Confusing 'optional' with 'alternative'.
Practice
Quiz
In a financial context, an 'option' is best described as:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is almost always countable. You have 'an option' or 'several options'. The uncountable use ('little option') is rare and literary.
An 'option' is something that is available to be chosen. A 'choice' is the act of selecting among options, or the thing that was selected. You 'make a choice' between your 'options'.
It's an idiom meaning to avoid committing to one particular plan or decision, so that you remain free to choose from several possibilities later.
Yes, though it's more specialized. It's common in business/entertainment, meaning to secure the rights to something (e.g., a book or property) for potential future use.
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