as a windfall for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a windfall for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unexpected benefit or gain that comes to someone, often in a financial context. Example: "The new tax policy was seen as a windfall for small businesses, providing them with much-needed financial relief."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

This can only be described as a windfall for Fantanele.

The Guardian

The provision is intended for companies to avoid double taxation, but acts as a windfall for the oil industry.

The Economist

Backers of the laser plan call those fears unwarranted and praise the technology as a windfall for a world increasingly leery of fossil fuels that produce greenhouse gases.

The New York Times - Science

By raising property values, planning laws act as a windfall for existing owners and a burden on those who rent or seek to buy.

The Economist

Critics say it is a maneuver intended to discredit the statewide ban by portraying the fees as a windfall for supermarkets.

The New York Times

The sale brought $31.1 million, allowing for the purchase of a Mary Cassatt portrait of Louisine and Electra as well as a windfall for the endowment.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said this month that the proposal would stimulate improvements to the power grid in Fairfield and New Haven Counties, where there has been public opposition to high-voltage lines and new power plants, but state regulators and even Connecticut Light and Power oppose the federal plan as discriminatory and a windfall for power generators.

The New York Times

They already have proved eager, at least in Europe and Asia, to buy audioclips that serve as ringtones, providing a windfall for mobile operators, music companies and third-party aggregators like Infospace that sell and maintain the ringtone libraries.

Forbes

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) lays all this out in a very animated letter this morning to colleague and Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn)., who has been smeared by Sirota and others as somehow orchestrating a windfall for real estate.

Forbes

It would seem as though it were a windfall for Detroit.

Forbes

Where is the temerity we saw when he campaigned?" Readers cited the health care reform bill as a let-down - "a windfall for private insurers at the end of the day," writes Abraxas79.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as a windfall for" when you want to emphasize that someone received an unexpected and often substantial benefit, especially in financial or political contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "as a windfall for" to describe expected or planned gains. "Windfall" implies an element of surprise and unpredictability, so it's not appropriate for describing sustainable or predictable positive outcomes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a windfall for" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb, indicating who or what benefits from an unexpected gain. As Ludwig AI confirms, it accurately describes an unforeseen advantage, often financial.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as a windfall for" is a commonly used expression to describe an unexpected and beneficial gain, often in the realms of finance, politics, or general fortune. As Ludwig AI states, it's grammatically correct and appropriate in various contexts, though the term 'windfall' implies an element of surprise. Predominantly found in news and media sources, the phrase maintains a neutral register, making it versatile for different types of writing. Alternatives like "as a boon for" or "as a godsend for" can be used to convey a similar meaning with slight nuances in emphasis. Remember, the best practice is to reserve "as a windfall for" for genuinely unexpected positive outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a boon for

Replaces "windfall" with "boon", implying a significant benefit, but potentially less unexpected.

as a godsend for

Substitutes "windfall" with "godsend", suggesting the benefit is highly fortunate and possibly divinely provided.

as an unexpected benefit for

Replaces "windfall" with a more descriptive term, emphasizing the surprise element.

as a stroke of luck for

Emphasizes the role of chance in providing the benefit; more informal than "windfall".

as a financial gain for

Specifically highlights the financial aspect of the benefit.

as a piece of good fortune for

More descriptive and less direct, implying a positive turn of events.

as a favorable turn for

Suggests a positive shift or change in circumstances.

as a timely advantage for

Highlights the benefit as occurring at a particularly opportune moment.

as a bonus for

More casual and less impactful than "windfall", suggesting a smaller, added benefit.

as an unexpected profit for

Similar to financial gain, but specifically refers to a profitable outcome that wasn't predicted.

FAQs

What does "as a windfall for" mean?

The phrase "as a windfall for" describes an unexpected and often substantial benefit or advantage that someone receives, frequently in a financial or political context.

What can I say instead of "as a windfall for"?

You can use alternatives like "as a boon for", "as a godsend for", or "as an unexpected benefit for" depending on the context.

How do I use "as a windfall for" in a sentence?

Use "as a windfall for" to indicate that a particular event or situation has resulted in an unforeseen and positive gain for someone. For example, "The tax cut was seen as a windfall for the wealthy".

Is "windfall" always a positive term?

While "windfall" generally refers to a positive and unexpected gain, it can sometimes be used in a negative context to suggest that the gain is undeserved or unfair.