seek fortune

USAGE SUMMARY

"seek fortune" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are talking about searching for success or opportunity, either in a literal or figurative sense. For example, you might say, "I'm seeking fortune by launching my own business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

THE Pacific archipelagos of Fiji and Tonga have for centuries been connected by trade and kinship: Tongan princes sailed westwards in outrigger canoes to seek fortune in Fiji, while Fijians provided spouses for the Tongan nobility.

The Economist

Auriemma's incoming recruiting class is so talent-rich and playing time so scarce that he may eventually have to watch some of his restless subs transfer to other programs, but he doesn't have to watch his stars leave early to seek fortune in the pros, as Richard Hamilton and Khalid El-Amin have done in successive years.

The New York Times

Founded by George Washington Jenkins (d. 1996), who hitched from Georgia to Florida to seek fortune in real estate.

Forbes

Following a huge financial crisis at the end of the 1990s, thousands of Ecuadoreans were forced to leave their country and seek fortune abroad, mostly in the US, Spain and Italy.

BBC

With excitement, we loaded up our trucks, waved goodbye to the rest of our platoon and rolled out to seek fortune, glory and a Whopper.

Vice

While 2007's Tree of Smoke was set in Vietnam during the war, The Laughing Monsters takes place in contemporary Africa, winding from West to East Africa and back as its central three characters seek fortune -- or something they don't dare name -- across the continent.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The area's name means "milk men", but dairying there has disappeared as rural migrants crowded into Istanbul to seek fortunes.

The New York Times

Since 1991, more than 30 top players have defected to seek fortunes in the United States, draining the baseball program of some important talents.

The New York Times - Sports

Each year more than 1,000 fresh faces arrive seeking fortune and celebrity.

The Economist

But the most important precursors are those episodes in American history that exemplify our passion for seeking fortune and adventure in new territory.

The New York Times

Wood's mother's family had come to Rumford a generation earlier, seeking fortune in the mills, but Wood's father had left at the age of twenty.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "seek fortune", consider the historical context. It often implies a journey or quest, suggesting a sense of adventure and uncertainty. This phrase is more impactful when describing deliberate actions aimed at finding success, rather than passively waiting for it to happen.

Common error

Avoid using "seek fortune" in contexts where a more direct term like "seek wealth" or "seek success" would be more appropriate. The phrase carries a connotation of venturing into the unknown, so it can sound overly dramatic if applied to mundane situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seek fortune" functions primarily as a verbal phrase, often appearing in infinitival constructions (e.g., "to seek fortune"). It describes the action of trying to attain wealth, success, or favorable circumstances.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seek fortune" is a verbal phrase denoting the action of pursuing wealth or success. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While not overly frequent, it appears mainly in news and media contexts, often with a neutral to slightly formal tone. "Seek fortune" typically describes deliberate and ambitious actions aimed at achieving prosperity, carrying historical and literary connotations. Alternative phrases, like "pursue wealth" or "chase success", offer nuanced variations depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pursue wealth

Focuses more specifically on the accumulation of riches, omitting the broader sense of 'fortune'.

aim for riches

Directly targets monetary wealth as the primary objective.

chase success

Emphasizes achievement and positive outcomes rather than material gain.

hunt for success

Implies a more active and aggressive search for favorable results.

look for prosperity

Highlights a search for general well-being and thriving conditions.

try to get rich

A more informal way to express the desire for financial gain.

search for opportunity

Shifts the focus to finding favorable circumstances rather than a guaranteed outcome.

strive for advancement

Suggests a more gradual and career-oriented path to improvement.

explore possibilities

Focuses on investigating potential opportunities without a guarantee of financial success.

make a name for oneself

Focuses on achieving fame and recognition, which may or may not lead to fortune.

FAQs

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

You can use "seek fortune" to describe someone's deliberate journey to find success, as in, "Many immigrants came to America to "seek fortune"".

What are some alternatives to "seek fortune"?

Consider alternatives like "pursue wealth", "chase success", or "look for prosperity" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "seeking fortune" instead of "seek fortune"?

Yes, both are grammatically correct, but they have different uses. "Seek fortune" is often used in the infinitive form after "to", while "seeking fortune" can be used as a gerund or present participle. For example: "He decided to "seek fortune"" vs. "He was "seeking fortune"".

What's the difference between "seek fortune" and "find fortune"?

"Seek fortune" implies the act of searching or pursuing success, while "find fortune" implies the actual discovery or attainment of it. One describes the journey, the other the destination.