contrasting fortunes

USAGE SUMMARY

"contrasting fortunes" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about two or more people or things that have very different levels of success, wealth, or luck. For example, you might say, "The two siblings had contrasting fortunes: one was a millionaire while the other was struggling to make ends meet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The other newcomers are experiencing contrasting fortunes.

The Guardian - Sport

Consider the contrasting fortunes of Yahoo and Google.

Harvard Business Review

Contrasting fortunes for two struggling support services group.

The Guardian - Business

The two have contrasting fortunes in their love lives.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

There were contrasting fortunes for these sides in the midweek FA Cup replays.

Independent

Selhurst Park devotees googling his sporting ventures will note they are enduring wildly contrasting fortunes.

The Guardian - Sport

Contrasting fortunes for two industrial businesses, Smiths Group and Rolls-Royce.

The Guardian - Business

The Simpsons and the Dochertys have experienced contrasting fortunes with their holiday properties.

The Guardian - Money

In the past 12 months, the three companies have experienced contrasting fortunes on the stock market.

The Guardian - Business

However, the publishers had seen contrasting fortunes this morning in the run-up to Leveson's announcement.

The Guardian

Among the mid-caps, contrasting fortunes for two retailers after their updates.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contrasting fortunes" when you want to highlight a divergence in outcomes, especially when the starting points or expectations were similar. This adds impact to your narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "contrasting fortunes" when referring to a single entity. The phrase implies a comparison between at least two different subjects. Instead, consider phrases like "turn of fortune" or "change in circumstances".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrasting fortunes" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes a situation where two or more entities experience significantly different outcomes in terms of success, wealth, or luck. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contrasting fortunes" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase to describe significantly different outcomes experienced by multiple entities. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and prevalence, particularly in news, business, and sports contexts. While versatile, avoid using it for single subjects and clearly identify the entities being compared. For alternative phrasings, consider "divergent outcomes" or "varied successes" to convey similar meanings. Remember to maintain clarity and context when highlighting these disparities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contrasting circumstances

Emphasizes the circumstances are dissimilar, affecting the final events.

divergent outcomes

Focuses on the outcomes or results being different, instead of the overall concept of fortune.

varied successes

Highlights the different levels of success achieved.

diverging paths

Highlights the paths are different which may lead to contrasting outcomes.

differing results

Emphasizes the difference in the end results achieved.

opposite trajectories

Implies a direction or path that is opposite to another.

unequal circumstances

Focuses on the circumstances being unequal, leading to different outcomes.

uneven distribution of luck

Highlights the luck, chance, or randomness in an unequal manner.

disparate experiences

Focuses on differences in experience, which may lead to different outcomes.

conflicting paths

Emphasizes that the path is conflicting which may lead to contrasting outcomes.

FAQs

How can I use "contrasting fortunes" in a sentence?

Use "contrasting fortunes" to compare the different levels of success, luck, or wealth between two or more entities. For example: "The two companies experienced "contrasting fortunes" this year, with one reporting record profits and the other facing bankruptcy."

What are some alternatives to "contrasting fortunes"?

You can use alternatives such as "divergent outcomes", "varied successes", or "differing results depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a contrasting fortune"?

No, "contrasting fortunes" is typically used in the plural because it implies a comparison between multiple entities or situations. Saying "a contrasting fortune" would not be grammatically correct in most contexts.

What's the difference between "contrasting fortunes" and "contrasting circumstances"?

"Contrasting fortunes" specifically refers to the different levels of success, wealth, or luck experienced by different entities. "Contrasting circumstances", on the other hand, is a broader term that refers to differing situations or conditions that may or may not directly relate to success or wealth.