waves of fortune

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "waves of fortune" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the fluctuating nature of luck or success in someone's life or circumstances. Example: "Throughout her career, she experienced waves of fortune, with periods of great success followed by challenging times."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

This central point is persuasively hammered home.In this section Rough and unready Thinking big Organ failure A tempest in petticoats Waves of fortune A man of all seasons Reprints Related items Development: Recasting the case for aidJan 20th 2005To be sure, the virtues of the book vastly outweigh its failings, just as the virtues of Mr Sachs dwarf his.

The Economist

She had a functional view of the marriage and had four children by other men, a constant source of torment to her prissy Swiss mother.In this section Rough and unready Thinking big Organ failure A tempest in petticoats Waves of fortune A man of all seasons ReprintsMaria Fairweather's biography is rich in details and anecdotes about her subject.

The Economist

Deftly weaving all these elements together, Mr Bogira has produced a compelling narrative, that is often more entertaining than most of the cop shows which are so popular on American television.In this section Rough and unready Thinking big Organ failure A tempest in petticoats Waves of fortune A man of all seasons ReprintsThe picture that emerges is tawdry and disappointing.

The Economist

The children are clones, bred specifically for the purpose of donating their vital organs when they reach adulthood.In this section Rough and unready Thinking big Organ failure A tempest in petticoats Waves of fortune A man of all seasons Reprints Related items New novels (1): Back to basicsApr 13th 2000"Never Let Me Go" is an interesting book, though flawed as well.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Frances, as Ms. Gerwig put it, is "down and out, or she's riding this wave of fortune one way or the other, but she's existing in this beautiful movie that she would never think that she existed in".

The New York Times

Despite what he said was a recent wave of good fortune, Mr. Wechsler still operates on the fringe.

The New York Times

By Sam Knight November 30, 2016 The British politician Nigel Farage is riding a wave of good fortune with the success of Brexit and Donald Trump's triumph in the Presidential election.

The New Yorker

The British politician Nigel Farage is riding a wave of good fortune with the success of Brexit and Donald Trump's triumph in the Presidential election.

The New Yorker

The past few decades have been a golden age by comparison, but "it is too early to know whether this represents a fundamental shift in the currents of history, or an ephemeral wave of good fortune".

BBC

I often feel like I'm just riding wave after wave of good fortune and cosmic favor, but eventually and inevitably I will wipe out.

Huffington Post

Before that, America's last significant wave of individual fortune-building, the original Gilded Age, a century ago, touched off decades worth of struggles over the distribution and domestication of that wealth: union battles, antitrust laws, muckraking exposes, the rapid growth of public education, laws establishing minimum wages and maximum hours and even the income tax.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "waves of fortune" to poetically describe alternating periods of success and challenge in a narrative. This phrase works well when emphasizing the unpredictable nature of events.

Common error

Avoid using "waves of fortune" in formal business or academic writing. Opt for more direct and less metaphorical language like "economic fluctuations" or "changing market conditions".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "waves of fortune" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a preposition or a subject complement. It operates metaphorically, describing fortune as something that ebbs and flows, similar to ocean waves. Ludwig indicates the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "waves of fortune" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe fluctuating periods of luck or prosperity. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While not a particularly common expression, it appears more frequently in news and media contexts. For formal or business writing, more direct alternatives may be preferable. The phrase evokes a sense of cyclical change and unpredictability, making it suitable for narrative and descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tides of fortune

Replaces "waves" with "tides", emphasizing the cyclical nature of fortune.

changing fortunes

A more general term for shifting circumstances.

cycles of prosperity

Focuses on the recurring pattern of economic success.

rollercoaster of success

Captures the dramatic and often jarring shifts between success and failure.

ebb and flow of luck

Highlights the alternating periods of good and bad luck.

periods of prosperity

Emphasizes specific times of wealth and success.

fluctuations in wealth

Specifically refers to changes in financial status.

vicissitudes of fate

Emphasizes the unpredictable and often harsh nature of fate.

shifting sands of fate

Suggests that fate is as unpredictable as the shifting sands.

ups and downs of life

A broader phrase encompassing all aspects of life's changes.

FAQs

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

You can use "waves of fortune" to describe alternating periods of success and difficulty in someone's life or in a particular situation. For example: "Throughout his career, he experienced "waves of fortune", with moments of great triumph followed by unexpected setbacks."

What phrases are similar to "waves of fortune"?

Similar phrases include "tides of fortune", "cycles of prosperity", or "ebb and flow of luck". These alternatives capture the idea of fluctuating luck and changing circumstances.

Is it appropriate to use "waves of fortune" in a formal context?

While grammatically correct, "waves of fortune" is somewhat metaphorical. For formal contexts, consider using more direct terms like "economic fluctuations" or "changing market conditions".

What does "waves of fortune" imply about a situation?

The phrase "waves of fortune" implies that the situation is subject to change, with periods of success and prosperity alternating with periods of difficulty or decline. It suggests an element of unpredictability and cyclical change.