dollar signs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dollar signs" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the symbol for currency or to indicate financial matters, often in a metaphorical sense to represent wealth or profit. Example: "When I saw the sales figures, my eyes lit up with dollar signs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They see dollar signs.

The New York Times

"I saw dollar signs.

The New York Times

But it's not all about dollar signs.

The Guardian - Sport

Stitched on the front are dollar signs.

The New York Times

Where parents saw woe, some companies saw dollar signs.

The New York Times

Maybe those students see dollar signs in coding.

The New Yorker

"I don't think it's players seeing dollar signs.

The New York Times

But some people are just seeing dollar signs..."....

Independent

It has dollar signs written all over it.

The Guardian - Tech

Someone had drawn dollar signs where their eyes had been.

The New York Times

The image was surrounded by oil rigs and dollar signs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about numerical values, use the actual dollar symbol ($) followed by the amount instead of spelling out "dollar signs".

Common error

Avoid using "dollar signs" literally when you mean actual monetary amounts. For example, don't write "The advertisement was full of dollar signs" when you mean "The advertisement showed many prices."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dollar signs" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It often acts as the object of a verb (e.g., 'saw dollar signs') or as a subject complement, indicating a perceived opportunity for financial gain. Ludwig provides examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Reference

0.3%

Social Media

0.3%

Encyclopedias

0.4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dollar signs" is a common noun phrase primarily used to express the idea of financial motivation or the anticipation of profit. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used in news and media contexts. When writing, use "dollar signs" to convey the perception of monetary gain, but avoid using it literally when referring to actual dollar amounts. Alternatives like "financial gains" or "monetary rewards" can be used for similar effects depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

money symbols

Replaces "dollar" with a more general term for currency, slightly broadening the scope.

financial gains

Focuses on the result of financial activity rather than the symbol itself.

potential profits

Highlights the possibility of making money, adding an element of anticipation.

monetary rewards

Emphasizes the compensation aspect of financial incentives.

pecuniary benefits

Uses more formal language to refer to financial advantages.

fiscal incentives

Highlights policies or measures designed to encourage financial activity.

economic advantages

Focuses on the broader economic impact or opportunities.

capital accumulation

Refers to the process of increasing wealth over time.

revenue streams

Addresses the different sources of income or financial inflow.

investment opportunities

Emphasizes possibilities for growing wealth through investment.

FAQs

How can I use "dollar signs" in a sentence?

You can use "dollar signs" to suggest that someone is motivated by money, as in, "When he heard about the project, he saw "dollar signs"."

What does it mean when someone says they see "dollar signs"?

Seeing "dollar signs" usually means someone anticipates making a lot of money or perceives an opportunity for financial gain. It implies a strong focus on profit.

Which is correct, "dollar signs" or "dollar sign"?

"Dollar signs" is the plural form, referring to multiple instances or a general sense of money. "Dollar sign" is singular, referring to the symbol ($). The choice depends on the context.

Are there alternatives to using "dollar signs" in writing?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use phrases like "financial gains", "potential profits", or "monetary rewards" to convey a similar meaning.