amass a fortune

USAGE SUMMARY

'amass a fortune' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to refer to the process of building up wealth over time. For example, "Instead of spending his money, he chose to invest it in the stock market, amassing a fortune over the years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

"Steve" went on to amass a fortune of £67m, most of which she now gives away to philanthropic causes.

The Guardian

Over the last half-century, Warren E. Buffett has built a reputation as a contrarian investor, betting against the crowd to amass a fortune estimated at $54 billion.

The New York Times

Some say that Mr Batista's ultimate aim was to amass a fortune big enough to acquire his father's old firm, Vale, now a global giant.

The Economist

After the war he lectured on tax law at New York University (1948 62), wrote legal and business books, and invested wisely enough to amass a fortune.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Once Blass became his own master, in 1970, he followed the example set by Pierre Cardin and began to amass a fortune from licensing agreements.

The New Yorker

Investigators and critics say Mr. Suharto abused his office to amass a fortune while also enriching his children and business associates.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

She has amassed a fortune, much of which presumably remains intact.

The New Yorker

Under the management of Herbert Breslin, the tenor has amassed a fortune estimated at between 25 and….

The New Yorker

Later, he got into commodities trading and amassed a fortune that today is estimated at $1.5 billion.

The New Yorker

She amassed a fortune and was linked to other successful entrepreneurs, including Pavlo Lazarenko.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Washington amassed a fortune acquiring troubled companies in a variety of industries, including mining.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "amass a fortune" when you want to emphasize the process of gradually accumulating a significant amount of wealth over time through effort, investments, or other means. It is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "amass a fortune" when describing someone simply inheriting wealth. The phrase implies active effort and strategic accumulation, rather than passive receipt of assets.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "amass a fortune" functions as a verb phrase, where 'amass' is a transitive verb requiring a direct object ('a fortune'). As Ludwig AI indicates, it describes the process of gradually accumulating wealth.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "amass a fortune" is a common and correct way to describe the process of accumulating substantial wealth over time. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as encyclopedic content. The phrase implies a gradual and active building of wealth, making it distinct from simply inheriting it. While several alternative phrases exist, such as "accumulate great wealth" or "build up a large fortune", each carries slightly different connotations. Remember to use "amass a fortune" to emphasize the active accumulation of wealth through effort and strategy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accumulate great wealth

Focuses on the gradual accumulation of wealth, emphasizing the amount.

build up a large fortune

Highlights the construction or gradual development of wealth over time.

acquire substantial riches

Emphasizes the act of gaining or obtaining a significant amount of riches.

generate considerable wealth

Focuses on the creation or production of wealth through effort or investment.

pile up a vast sum

Implies accumulating a large amount of money, often with a sense of excess.

rack up significant assets

Focuses on the accumulation of assets rather than just cash.

make a pile of money

An informal way to describe becoming very wealthy.

strike it rich

Suggests a sudden and significant acquisition of wealth, often through luck.

become wealthy

A simpler, more direct way of saying someone has become rich.

get rich

Very basic, common phrasing.

FAQs

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

You can use "amass a fortune" to describe someone who has gradually accumulated a large amount of wealth through their own efforts, for example: "Through shrewd investments, she was able to "amass a fortune"."

What can I say instead of "amass a fortune"?

You can use alternatives like "accumulate great wealth", "build up a large fortune", or "acquire substantial riches" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "amass a fortune"?

Yes, "amass a fortune" is a correct and commonly used phrase in English to describe the process of accumulating a significant amount of wealth.

What is the difference between "amass a fortune" and "inherit a fortune"?

"Amass a fortune" implies actively accumulating wealth through one's own efforts, while "inherit a fortune" means receiving wealth from a deceased relative or benefactor.