a fortune

USAGE SUMMARY

"a fortune" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a large sum of money, usually referring to an unexpected or undeserved windfall. For example, "She won a fortune in the lottery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They made a fortune.

The New Yorker

"It cost a fortune.

The Economist

It was a fortune.

The New Yorker

Not a fortune.

The New York Times

A fortune.

The New York Times - Magazine

A fortune has gone missing.

The New York Times - Books

He eventually made a fortune.

The New York Times

"You must've spent a fortune".

The New Yorker

It cost me a fortune".

Independent

I don't have a fortune.

The New York Times - Magazine

It will make a fortune.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing wealth, remember to tailor the level of formality to your audience and context. "A pile of money" is very informal, while "substantial wealth" is more appropriate for formal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "a fortune" to describe relatively small amounts of money. This can create a disconnect with your audience and diminish the impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fortune" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as an object or complement in a sentence. It signifies a substantial amount of money or assets. As Ludwig demonstrates, it is often used to describe unexpected gains or significant costs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a fortune" is a common and versatile expression used to denote a large sum of money, often implying an unexpected or surprisingly high amount. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its frequent use across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it leans towards informality, making it suitable for a wide range of communications. For more formal settings, alternatives like "substantial wealth" might be more appropriate. Remember to use "a fortune" when emphasizing significant financial value, but be mindful of the scale you're describing to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable fortune

Uses "considerable" to describe the magnitude of the fortune, implying it's noteworthy.

a small fortune

Indicates a significant amount of money, though less than a typical fortune.

a large sum of money

Refers to a significant amount of money, emphasizing the quantity.

substantial wealth

Highlights the significant amount of assets owned.

a great deal of money

Focuses on the amount of money being substantial.

excessive wealth

Points to an overabundance of riches.

a wealth of riches

Emphasizes the abundance and variety of assets.

a vast amount of wealth

Highlights the immensity of the financial resources.

a king's ransom

Implies a very high price or cost, often used hyperbolically.

a pile of money

A more informal way to describe a large amount of money, suggesting it's physically stacked.

FAQs

How can I use "a fortune" in a sentence?

You can use "a fortune" to describe a large sum of money someone has or something costs. For example, "She inherited "a fortune" from her grandfather" or "That car must have cost "a fortune"".

What can I say instead of "a fortune"?

You can use alternatives like "a large sum of money", "a great deal of money", or "substantial wealth" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "earned a fortune" or "made a fortune"?

Both "earned "a fortune"" and "made "a fortune"" are correct. "Earned" implies labor or effort, while "made" can imply generating wealth through business or investment.

What's the difference between "a fortune" and "wealth"?

"A fortune" typically refers to a specific, large amount of money. "Wealth" is a broader term that encompasses all assets, including property, investments, and other valuable possessions.