blows of fate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "blows of fate" is not grammatically correct.
"Blows of fate" should be replaced with the phrase "blows of fate" or "fateful blows." For example: "My life has been subjected to the fateful blows of fate."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

You take the blows of fate and move on".

The New York Times - Sports

Ever since, composers have tried to outdo each other with carefully engineered hammer blows of fate.

The New Yorker

He peers at us through his little round eyes in permanent amazement that his face should have been flattened by successive blows of fate.

The Guardian

The following year the Emperor was to suffer further blows of fate; Pietro della Vigna, for many years the Emperor's confidant, was accused of treason and committed suicide in prison.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The finale originally contained three climactic blows with a large hammer, representing "the three blows of fate which fall on a, the last one felling him as a tree is felled" (he subsequently removed the final blow from the score).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Beethoven's Fifth Symphony sounds its hammer blows of fate; or perhaps those four notes are a transcription of the song of a Viennese yellow-hammer; or a symbol of war-time victory; or a transformation of a Cherubini choral song.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

He glanced down at his charge, who, reeling from this latest blow of fate, had renewed his cowering without permission.

The New Yorker

The last movement of the symphony is 30 minutes long, and according to Young, it tells the story of a hero hit with the "hammer blow of fate".

The Guardian - Music

Bychkov placed the scherzo second and did away with what Alma Mahler referred to as the third "blow of fate" – choices that were entirely vindicated in this memorable performance.

The Guardian - Music

He said another writer called Liu Shahe, also declared an enemy of the state and jailed in 1957, told him: "The wounds inflicted by such a blow of fate never heal.

The New York Times

'The hero,' wrote Mahler, 'is assaulted by three hammer-blows of fate, the last of which fells him as a tree is felled.' It was a musical vision that was to prove all too prescient for a composer who would soon suffer a series of life-changing personal heartbreaks.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "fateful blows" or "blows of fate" instead of "blows of fate" for improved grammatical correctness.

Common error

Be mindful of correct phrasing; while "blows of fate" is understandable, "fateful blows" or "blows of fate" offers better clarity and grammatical structure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "blows of fate" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a series of unfortunate events or adversities. Although Ludwig AI marks it as grammatically incorrect, it is still used in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "blows of fate" is used to describe a series of unfortunate events. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. Though understandable, refining it to "blows of fate" or "fateful blows" improves clarity. The phrase appears in news, encyclopedias, and academic sources. When writing, choosing stronger synonyms like "misfortunes" or "adversities" could provide better precision and formality, depending on the writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

misfortunes

A more direct synonym, replacing the metaphorical "blows" with a general term for bad luck.

strokes of bad luck

Emphasizes the role of chance and randomness in negative experiences.

ill luck

A straightforward term for bad fortune.

adversities

A formal term that encompasses a range of challenging or unfavorable situations.

hardships

Focuses on the difficulties and suffering caused by unfortunate events.

trials and tribulations

A more elaborate and somewhat religious phrase for difficult experiences.

reversals of fortune

Highlights a shift from good luck to bad luck, rather than just bad events.

setbacks

Implies a temporary impediment or delay caused by misfortune.

unfavorable circumstances

A more neutral and descriptive term for negative conditions.

calamities

Implies disastrous and devastating events.

FAQs

What is the correct way to phrase "blows of fate"?

While understandable, "blows of fate" is grammatically incorrect. "Blows of fate" should be replaced with the phrase "blows of fate" or the alternative "fateful blows" for better clarity.

What does "blows of fate" mean?

The phrase "blows of fate" refers to a series of unfortunate events or adversities that one experiences in life, often seen as being determined by destiny or forces beyond one's control. Consider using alternative phrases to convey this such as "misfortunes" or "strokes of bad luck".

Can "blows of fate" be used in formal writing?

While the phrase can be used, it's best to replace "blows of fate" with more formal alternatives such as "adversities" or "hardships", depending on the specific context. This ensures a more professional and grammatically sound tone.

What are some phrases similar to "blows of fate"?

Similar phrases include "trials and tribulations", "reversals of fortune", and "setbacks". Each carries slightly different connotations related to misfortune and adversity. The specific context must be well considered when replacing the phrase to maintain its meaning.