pay a fortune

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pay a fortune" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when talking about spending a large amount of money on something. For example: "I had to pay a fortune to get the tickets to the concert."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"They would pay a fortune for that".

The New York Times

Bono added: "And we pay a fortune in tax.

The Guardian - Music

It didn't pay a fortune but we made a wage.

The Guardian - Arts

And TMZ would pay a fortune for the pictures.

The Guardian - Film

If the right person asked them, they'd pay a fortune.

The Washington Post

American doctors pay a fortune to insure themselves against frivolous lawsuits.

The Economist

When he stepped down, companies were willing to pay a fortune to hear him.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

A year later, Brando was paid a fortune to play a small – albeit memorable – turn as the manic Col. Kurtz in Coppola's "Apocalypse Now" (1979).

Los Angeles Times

Jim Carrey was being paid a fortune.

The Guardian - Film

Then you paid a fortune and drove away, dazed.

The New Yorker

"People are paying a fortune for these apartments".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pay a fortune" when you want to emphasize the surprisingly or excessively high cost of something. For example, instead of saying "The repairs were expensive", you could say "I had to "pay a fortune" to get the repairs done".

Common error

While "pay a fortune" is widely understood, it can sound less professional in formal writing. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "incur substantial costs" or "invest heavily" to maintain a formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pay a fortune" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of spending a significant amount of money. This phrase is often used to express surprise or dissatisfaction with the high cost of something. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable in writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pay a fortune" is a very common and grammatically sound expression used to describe spending a considerable amount of money. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely acceptable in written English. While generally neutral, it's most frequently found in News & Media contexts and can be replaced with alternatives like "spend a large sum" or "shell out a lot of money" in more formal settings. Be mindful of the subtle nuances in tone and context when choosing between "pay a fortune" and its alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pay through the nose

An idiomatic expression indicating paying an excessively high price.

spend a large sum

Focuses on the action of spending, highlighting the substantial amount of money involved.

shell out a lot of money

Emphasizes the act of parting with a considerable amount of money.

cough up a considerable amount

Suggests reluctance or difficulty in paying a significant sum.

forgo a hefty payment

Highlights the substantial nature of the payment being made.

invest heavily

Implies spending a large amount with the expectation of future returns.

bear substantial costs

Highlights the burden of incurring significant expenses.

incur massive expenses

Focuses on the occurrence of very high costs.

lay out a great deal of cash

Stresses the physical act of paying a large sum in cash.

be charged an exorbitant fee

Highlights that the fee charged is unreasonably high.

FAQs

How can I use "pay a fortune" in a sentence?

You can use "pay a fortune" to emphasize a surprisingly high cost, such as, "I had to "pay a fortune" for the last-minute plane ticket".

What can I say instead of "pay a fortune"?

You can use alternatives like "spend a large sum", "shell out a lot of money", or "pay through the nose" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "pay a fortune" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "pay a fortune" may be too informal for certain professional contexts. Consider alternatives like "incur substantial costs" for a more neutral tone.

What's the difference between "pay a fortune" and "invest heavily"?

"Pay a fortune" typically emphasizes a high cost, while "invest heavily" suggests spending a large amount with the expectation of future returns or benefits.