a great fortune

USAGE SUMMARY

"a great fortune" is a perfectly grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it in any situation that involves a large amount of money or wealth, such as this example: "John inherited a great fortune, but was determined to make his own money and not rely on it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

With a great fortune, it turns out, comes great responsibility.

The New York Times - Books

He died and left his widow a great fortune.

The New Yorker

Yet thanks to inflation, $1 million is no longer a great fortune.

The New York Times

By the 1980s and 1990s, the accumulation of a great fortune had become something to celebrate.

The New York Times

Some of his inventions were patented outside of the US as well, but despite retaining foreign rights to himself, he did not make a great fortune from inventing.

World Patent Information

It is more centrally a movie about business, the story of a great fortune being made and fought over.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

His site now boasts more than 500 million mostly happy users and has given him a personal fortune estimated at $6.9bn [£4.5bn], making him the 35th wealthiest person in America, with a greater fortune than both Steve Jobs and Rupert Murdoch.

Independent

The prevailing sentiment across the N.F.L. insisted that that was a rarity, a stroke of great fortune, a one-shot deal.

The New York Times - Sports

GIVEN the high unemployment rate, a job offer would seem a sign of great fortune.

The New York Times

"The Widow Barnaby," by Frances Trollope, a deliciously witty satire about a vulgar, heartless, outrageously flirtatious widow of a village pharmacist who poses as a lady of great fortune.

The New York Times - Books

The best way to engage with all these stories is with a sense of wonder and play, and with a sense of great fortune.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a great fortune" to clearly convey a substantial amount of wealth or assets, especially in contexts where the exact amount is not specified but the magnitude is significant.

Common error

Avoid using "a great fortune" to describe modest sums of money. Using it for smaller amounts can diminish the phrase's impact and create a sense of exaggeration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great fortune" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition, denoting a substantial amount of wealth, as demonstrated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a great fortune" is a widely used and grammatically correct noun phrase that effectively conveys the concept of substantial wealth. Ludwig highlights its prevalence in news, academic, and encyclopedic contexts, indicating its suitability across various registers. When using this phrase, it's best to ensure the context warrants the implication of significant financial resources. Alternatives such as "substantial wealth" or "considerable riches" may be used to fine-tune the specific nuance. Overall, "a great fortune" remains a versatile and impactful way to describe significant wealth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Substantial wealth

Replaces 'great fortune' with more formal synonyms for both 'great' and 'fortune'.

Considerable riches

Substitutes 'fortune' with 'riches' to emphasize abundance.

A vast amount of money

Breaks down 'fortune' into its basic components: amount of money and makes the adjective "vast".

A large inheritance

Focuses on the source of the fortune being an inheritance.

Significant assets

Replaces 'fortune' with a more business-oriented term.

A mountain of wealth

Uses a metaphorical expression to describe the size of the fortune.

Affluent circumstances

Shifts the focus to the overall situation of wealth rather than the wealth itself.

A prosperous estate

Highlights the economic success and possessions of someone.

Extensive financial resources

Replaces 'fortune' with a broader term referring to financial capacity.

A treasure trove of assets

Uses a more descriptive and evocative term for a collection of valuable items.

FAQs

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

You can use "a great fortune" to describe inheriting a large sum of money, winning the lottery, or accumulating substantial wealth through business ventures. For example: "She inherited "a great fortune" from her grandfather".

What phrases are similar to "a great fortune"?

Alternatives to "a great fortune" include "substantial wealth", "considerable riches", or "a vast amount of money". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a great fortune" or should I use another phrase?

The phrase "a great fortune" is grammatically correct and widely accepted. Its suitability depends on the intended nuance; alternatives like "significant assets" may be more appropriate in formal or business contexts.

What implications does the phrase "a great fortune" carry?

The phrase "a great fortune" generally implies a large, often unexpected, accumulation of wealth, suggesting both opportunity and potential responsibility. It may also carry connotations of luck or privilege.