Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
fee a fortune for
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "fee a fortune for" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "pay a fortune for"? If this is the case, you can use it when discussing the high cost of something, indicating that it is very expensive. Example: "I had to pay a fortune for my new car, but I think it was worth it."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Alternative expressions(1)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
Wallace enjoyed charging us the $10 write-up fee (a fortune for people in prison) and giving us extra "work" duty, which, since most of us didn't have actual jobs, meant having us pick up rocks on the rec yard and pile them in a corner.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
59 human-written examples
Before coming to the United States, Signal's recruiters forced the workers to pay up to $20,000 in recruiting fees, a fortune for a middle-class Indian.
News & Media
Telecommunications investment banking fees made a fortune for Mr. Weill's company.
News & Media
"They would pay a fortune for that".
News & Media
They all made a fortune for the studio," he added.
News & Media
Peter de Jager, a Canadian consultant and incessant Y2K proselytizer who made a fortune in fees for his public appearances, appears to be taking a breather.
News & Media
During that time, delegates have reportedly collected sitting and transport fees ranging from roughly $130 per day for Lusaka-based delegates to $260 per day for non-Lusaka-based delegates - a small fortune for most Zambian people.
News & Media
But as long as rich companies are prepared to pay outrageous fees to make fortunes for law firms, there will always be young lawyers clamouring to have a slice of the action, whatever their personal sacrifices.
News & Media
Mr. Walker of American Program Bureau said that he had recently booked a "major, major TV icon" who generally earns $75,000 for a speaking appearance at an event at a Fortune 100 technology company for one-third the normal fee.
News & Media
Why? Few want a public row with such an illustrious name as Shell and some will have an investment banking arm making a fortune out of the fees for arranging this buyout.
News & Media
Mr. Liu said he typically charged a flat fee of about $2,500 for an appeal, a fortune to clients and a pittance by the standards of large firms, which routinely charge $100,000 and more for an appeal.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Instead of using the incorrect phrase, consider the specific context. Are you talking about the cost of legal fees, membership fees, or other types of charges? Being specific will enhance the clarity of your writing.
Common error
Avoid placing "fee" directly before "a fortune". The correct structure involves verbs like "cost", "pay", or "charge" followed by "a fortune" to describe the expense.
Source & Trust
60%
Authority and reliability
1.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "fee a fortune for" is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase does not follow standard English grammar rules. A correct alternative should employ a verb like "cost", "pay", or "charge" to describe the expense.
Frequent in
Science
0%
News & Media
0%
Formal & Business
0%
Less common in
Science
0%
News & Media
0%
Formal & Business
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "fee a fortune for" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is not recognized in standard English usage. Instead, use grammatically correct alternatives such as "cost a fortune in fees" or "pay a fortune for fees" to accurately convey the intended meaning of high expenses related to charges. Remember to use correct sentence structure to maintain clarity and professionalism in your writing.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
cost a fortune in fees
Specifies that the high cost is due to fees.
pay a fortune in fees
Emphasizes the action of paying a large amount in fees.
charge a fortune for fees
Focuses on the action of charging a significant amount specifically for fees.
command a fortune in fees
Indicates that the fees are high due to demand or exclusivity.
earn a fortune through fees
Highlights the earning aspect, where fees are the source of wealth.
make a fortune from fees
Similar to earning, but emphasizes the origin of the fortune being the fees.
rakes in a fortune in fees
Suggests that someone quickly and easily makes a fortune through fees.
spends a fortune on fees
Explains that the high cost is due to spending on fees.
generates a fortune through fees
Highlights the creation or production of wealth via fees.
realizes a fortune in fees
Explains that the benefit is due to realizing a fortune in fees.
FAQs
What is the correct way to say something costs a lot in fees?
You can say it "costs a fortune in fees" or that you "pay a fortune in fees". For example: "Legal battles often "cost a fortune in fees"".
What's a similar phrase to describe high expenses related to charges?
A similar phrase is to say someone "charges a fortune for fees". For example: "Some lawyers "charge a fortune for fees", especially in complex cases".
Is it grammatically correct to use "fee" as a verb in this context?
No, "fee" is typically a noun, not a verb. Therefore, "fee a fortune" is not grammatically correct. Use verbs like "cost", "pay", or "charge" instead.
Can I use "fee a fortune" in any context?
No, "fee a fortune" is not recognized as a standard or grammatically correct expression in English. It is advisable to avoid this phrase and use established alternatives.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
60%
Authority and reliability
1.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested