an early windfall

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an early windfall" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unexpected gain or benefit that occurs sooner than anticipated, often in a financial context. Example: "Winning the lottery was an early windfall that changed her life dramatically."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Any fine imposed on Barclays by the FCA will provide an early windfall for Osborne as he returns to No 11 after the general election, as he has been using fines to give handouts to military charities and other causes.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

That could bring in a useful early windfall of $100m: enough to keep Mr Déby's army going.

The Economist

Operators of ski areas in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine were beside themselves with glee over the early windfall of a snowfall.

The New York Times

(anag. incl. g, LD, y, & lit).. V. Dixon: It makes one mistakenly glory, taken in by a fleeting fancy (anag. in fad, & lit).. A. G. Fleming: Following breeze, year's first, good and early, windfall (f air y g old).

The Guardian

And, since they did not have vast deficits to swallow up the early windfalls of the boom (all but Vermont have balanced-budget requirements), the governors have been pulling off an impressive feat for years: cutting taxes while increasing both spending and surpluses.Indeed governors (Democratic as well as Republican) have cut taxes six years running, by a cumulative $26 billion.

The Economist

And it is arguable that consumers are spending the early windfalls from lower petrol prices.

BBC

But the president, recounting the stories of middle-class families arrayed on the stage behind him, celebrated these modest windfalls as an early sign of the tangible benefits of the law.

The New York Times

But then the dotcom boom hit and Kremen cashed in, most profitably with a $3m windfall thanks to an early investment in content management company Interwoven.

The Guardian - Tech

It all adds up to a £23bn windfall for the Treasury over five years – and some analysts called it an "early Christmas present" for the Chancellor.

Independent

You don't have to worry about an early redemption (both issues are callable at $25) since that unlikely event would simply hand you a windfall.

Forbes

(His first job paid $32 an hour, a windfall).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an early windfall", be clear about the source and nature of the benefit. Providing context helps the reader understand the significance of the unexpected gain.

Common error

Avoid using "an early windfall" to describe situations that are merely convenient or slightly beneficial. The phrase implies a significant and unexpected gain, not just a minor advantage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an early windfall" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a specific type of event or occurrence: an unexpected gain or benefit that happens sooner than anticipated. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for use.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an early windfall" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes an unexpected gain or benefit received sooner than anticipated. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is best suited for situations where the timing of the gain is significant. It appears most frequently in news and media, formal and business, and scientific contexts. While the phrase isn't exceedingly common, it provides a concise way to communicate a specific type of fortunate event. Remember to avoid overstating its impact by using it only for truly significant and unexpected benefits.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

early unexpected gain

Focuses on the financial or material aspect of the benefit, received ahead of time.

unexpected early benefit

Emphasizes the element of surprise and the timing of the advantage.

early advantage

Simply highlights that an advantage was received early on.

unforeseen head start

Emphasizes the advantage gained at the beginning of a process or endeavor.

untimely stroke of luck

Highlights the unexpected and fortunate nature of the event.

advance boon

Highlights the beneficial aspect of the early arrival.

prompt fortunate event

Highlights the favorable outcome occurring sooner than expected.

accelerated good fortune

Highlights that the good fortune arrived quicker than anticipated.

preliminary piece of luck

Emphasizes that it is early and may not be the last bit of good fortune.

premature blessing

Conveys a sense of divine favor or good fortune arriving ahead of schedule.

FAQs

How can I use "an early windfall" in a sentence?

You can use "an early windfall" to describe an unexpected gain or benefit received sooner than anticipated. For example, "The company's unexpected contract was an early windfall, boosting their profits significantly."

What are some alternatives to "an early windfall"?

Some alternatives include "unexpected early benefit", "early unexpected gain", or "prompt fortunate event", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a early windfall" instead of "an early windfall"?

No, it is incorrect. The correct article to use before "early" is "an" because "early" begins with a vowel sound.

What's the difference between "an early windfall" and "a late windfall"?

"An early windfall" refers to a benefit received sooner than expected, while "a late windfall" implies a benefit received later than expected or after a period of waiting. They describe opposite timings of an unexpected gain.