gift of fortune

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gift of fortune" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe a positive or fortunate event or circumstance that is unexpected or out of one's control. Example: Winning the lottery was a lucky gift of fortune for the struggling family, allowing them to finally pay off their debts and live comfortably.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Fame is fickle, the gift of Fortune, who readily and inevitably takes it away.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

City had managed to tumble into that hapless predicament despite a gift of outrageous fortune: a new, 48,000-seat stadium, built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games with public money – £78m from the national lottery, £49m from Manchester city council – and converted at the public's expense.

The Guardian - Sport

Unlike many tarot readers who proclaim to possess the gift of telling fortunes, Hisyam told me he is first and foremost, a psychologist, and his practice is scientific.

Vice

Spinoza's "free person" is one who bears the gifts and losses of fortune with equanimity and does only those things that he believes to be "the most important in life".

SEP

The wealthy typically were engaged in merchant trade or civil service as the aristocracy revelled in Crown sponsored monopolies in various products which would be the gift of the crown and make fortunes - the average nobility was paid wages between 1500-3000 pernds per year, where the common man might earn between 5-20 pounds a year.

WikiHow

In the song Kiki's father rhapsodizes on what the unexpected turn of fortune seems to promise: freedom from financial worry and the gift of time.

The New York Times

About 65% of Fortune 500 companies match employee donations, yet the median employee participation rate for matching gift programs is just 9%.

Huffington Post

Outrageous reversals of fortune?

The Guardian

Gentlemen of fortune.

The Guardian - Books

This was an astounding reversal of fortune.

The New Yorker

There would be other reversals of fortune.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gift of fortune", consider the specific nuance you wish to convey. It often implies an external force or element of chance contributing to a positive outcome. Is it luck, fate, or serendipity at play?

Common error

Avoid using "gift of fortune" to describe situations that are solely the result of hard work or skill. The phrase suggests an element of unexpected luck rather than earned achievement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gift of fortune" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes something beneficial received unexpectedly, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Wiki

16%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gift of fortune" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe an unexpected and positive turn of events. Ludwig AI validates its correctness. While less common than alternatives like "stroke of luck", it carries a distinct nuance of external influence. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts and is generally regarded as having a neutral register. Remember to use it when you want to emphasize the role of chance or serendipity in achieving a favorable outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stroke of luck

This alternative suggests a sudden, positive turn of events primarily driven by chance.

piece of good luck

This implies a single instance of fortunate circumstances.

fortunate event

This phrase focuses on the positive outcome of an occurrence.

lucky break

Suggests a beneficial and unplanned opportunity or change in circumstances.

act of providence

This alternative implies that a divine power caused the fortunate event.

unexpected blessing

Highlights the positive and unanticipated nature of the event, implying divine favor.

windfall

This suggests a sudden and substantial influx of good fortune, often financial.

fluke

Implies that the good fortune was purely accidental and unlikely to be repeated.

serendipitous event

Highlights the chance and fortunate nature of the event, emphasizing discovery.

happy accident

This emphasizes the accidental nature of a positive outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "gift of fortune" in a sentence?

You can use "gift of fortune" to describe a positive event that happened unexpectedly. For example, "Winning the lottery was a "gift of fortune" that changed her life."

What's a more common phrase than "gift of fortune"?

While "gift of fortune" is grammatically sound, phrases like "stroke of luck" or "lucky break" are generally more common in everyday conversation.

Is it correct to say "gift of fortune" or "gift of the fortune"?

"Gift of fortune" is the correct and more natural phrasing. Using "the" would be grammatically incorrect in most contexts.

What is the difference between "gift of fortune" and "act of kindness"?

A "gift of fortune" implies luck or chance, while an "act of kindness" refers to a deliberate and benevolent action. One is circumstantial, the other is intentional.