a real fortune

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a real fortune" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant amount of money or wealth, often in a context where the value is emphasized. Example: "After selling his business, he made a real fortune that allowed him to retire early."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The latest go-round of "The Bachelor" began just last week with a permutation meant to trump the faux moneybags appeal of "Joe Millionaire" with a real heir to a real fortune: 27-year-old Andrew Firestone, great-grandson of the tire magnate Harvey Firestone.

The New York Times

Push the bottom middle of the cookie and form it into a real fortune cookie.

WikiHow

If you can't get a hold of a real fortune cookie, make one.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

After starting out modestly as a broker, in his 20s he formed a partnership with Richard Kalikow, a third-generation heir to a real estate fortune.

The New York Times

More often, however, Hollywood's newer investors resemble Michael Benaroya, a 29-year-old whose family built a real estate fortune in Seattle.

The New York Times

A few weeks ago, he and his wife, Lea, an heiress to a real estate fortune, went on a weekend retreat to Camp Young Judaea with their two children.

The New York Times

Mr. Pillay said that the value of his properties was important to him because he wanted to amass a real estate fortune like Donald Trump's.

The New York Times

Robert A. Durst, heir to a real estate fortune, quietly divorced his long-missing wife in 1990 without the knowledge of her grieving family or friends.

The New York Times

Mr. Spitzer, whose family has a real estate fortune, can afford to finance his own campaign, and has a national reputation as a warrior against Wall Street from his tenure as the state's attorney general.

The New York Times

Although if you want to avoid the humiliation of asking a judge for permission to do a reality TV show in the jungles of Costa Rica like Rod Blagojevich did, being heir to a real estate fortune does help.

The New York Times

That money may be dwarfed by the amount Mr. Spitzer, whose family has a real estate fortune, could spend on his own, but is enough to alter the contours of the campaign, particularly because the groups are likely to be more negative than Mr. Spitzer's Democratic primary opponent, Scott M. Stringer, the Manhattan borough president.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "a real fortune" to emphasize the substantial nature of wealth, whether it's inherited, earned, or acquired unexpectedly.

Common error

Avoid using "a real fortune" to describe modest amounts; reserve it for significant and truly substantial wealth.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a real fortune" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "real" emphasizes the genuine and significant nature of the noun "fortune". It typically acts as the object of a verb, describing something someone possesses or acquires. Ludwig indicates this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a real fortune" is a noun phrase used to describe substantial wealth or significant financial success. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable in written English, though its occurrence is relatively rare. The phrase is primarily found in news and media contexts and has a neutral register, making it suitable for a variety of writing styles. Related phrases include "a considerable sum" and "significant assets". When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the large scale of the wealth being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A considerable sum

Emphasizes the amount of money involved, focusing on its largeness.

A significant amount of money

Highlights the importance and impact of the financial gain.

A substantial inheritance

Specifically refers to money received as an inheritance, emphasizing its magnitude.

A windfall of wealth

Suggests a sudden and unexpected gain of riches.

A vast accumulation of riches

Highlights the extensive collection of wealth over time.

A king's ransom

Implies an extremely large sum of money, often used hyperbolically.

A life-changing amount of money

Focuses on the impact the money has on someone's life.

A considerable estate

Refers to the total value of someone's assets, including property and investments.

A pot of gold

Suggests a mythical or fairy-tale level of wealth.

A treasure trove

Implies a hidden or abundant source of wealth.

FAQs

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

You can use "a real fortune" to describe someone inheriting great wealth, like "He inherited "a real fortune" from his grandfather."

What's a good alternative to "a real fortune"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "a substantial sum", "considerable wealth", or "significant assets" to convey the idea of great wealth.

Is it appropriate to use "a real fortune" in formal writing?

While "a real fortune" is generally acceptable, in more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "substantial assets" or "considerable wealth" for a more professional tone.

What kind of wealth justifies the description "a real fortune"?

"A real fortune" typically implies a very large amount of money or assets, enough to significantly alter one's lifestyle or financial standing. Think of it as an amount that would be considered exceptionally wealthy.