an absolute fortune

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an absolute fortune" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a very large amount of money, often implying that something is excessively expensive. Example: "I can't believe how much they spent on that car; it must have cost them an absolute fortune."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Music

Business

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

You've saved yourself an absolute fortune.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It costs an absolute fortune to play.

The New York Times - Magazine

Worth an absolute fortune, round about £330m, the expert says.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It has cost an absolute fortune, but the house is worth a few pennies".

Independent

"Anybody that wants to be an entrepreneur in this country can make an absolute fortune".

The New York Times - Magazine

We spend an absolute fortune, probably more than anyone does on a festival".

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

What keeps this 54-minute film consistently engaging is Sandy herself, wary, pragmatic and, much to Ms. Lum's good fortune, an absolute natural in front of the camera.

The New York Times - Arts

"An absolute ceiling is an absolute ceiling.

Huffington Post

It was an absolute.

The New York Times

What an absolute icon.

The Guardian

It is an absolute.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an absolute fortune" when you want to emphasize the excessive or surprisingly high cost of something, creating a sense of astonishment or disapproval.

Common error

Avoid using "an absolute fortune" in formal or business writing where a more precise figure or neutral tone is expected. Opt for terms like "significant investment" or "substantial cost" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an absolute fortune" functions as a noun phrase, often used as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig AI indicates its correct and frequent usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Lifestyle

18%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Business

8%

Music

6%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an absolute fortune" is a commonly used phrase to describe something that is very expensive. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and applicable in various contexts, primarily in news, lifestyle, and sports-related content. While acceptable, it is better to avoid this phrase in formal writing, and consider using more neutral or precise alternatives like "a substantial sum" or "significant investment". Keep in mind its more subjective and emphatic tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a vast amount of money

Highlights the extensive quantity of money involved.

a considerable sum

Emphasizes the notable size of the amount of money.

extremely expensive

Directly states the high cost without exaggeration.

a hefty price tag

Focuses on the high cost associated with something.

an arm and a leg

Colloquial expression for something very expensive.

eye-wateringly expensive

Emphasizes the shock or disbelief at the high price.

a king's ransom

Implies an extremely high price, often exaggerated.

cost a bomb

British slang for costing a lot of money.

cost a pretty penny

Indicates a significant, but not necessarily exorbitant, cost.

a small fortune

Paradoxically describes a significant amount of money as if it were smaller, often used ironically.

FAQs

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

You can use "an absolute fortune" to describe something that is very expensive. For example, "The renovation cost "an absolute fortune"."

What's a less informal way to say "an absolute fortune"?

For more formal situations, consider alternatives like "a substantial sum", "a considerable expense", or "a significant investment".

Is it correct to say "a absolute fortune" instead of "an absolute fortune"?

No, it's grammatically incorrect. Use "an absolute fortune" because "absolute" starts with a vowel sound.

What kind of situations are suitable for the expression "an absolute fortune"?

The expression "an absolute fortune" is suitable for informal contexts where you want to emphasize the high cost of something. It's often used in news, lifestyle, or music contexts.