Cool MateFate vs Fortune vs Lot vs We all have a destiny
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Fate
Top 1,000 (very common)C1noun
Fortune
Top 1,000 (very common)B2noun
Lot
Top 1,000 (very common)A1pronoun
We all have a destiny
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
| Fate | Fortune | Lot | We all have a destiny | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/feɪt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/feɪt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈfɔːtʃuːn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈfɔːrtʃən/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/lɒt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/lɑːt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //wiː ɔːl hæv ə ˈdɛstɪni//🇺🇸 //wi ɔl hæv ə ˈdɛstəni// |
| Meaning | What happens to a person or thing in the future. | A lot of money or good luck. | A large amount or number of something. | Our future that is meant to happen. |
| Example | She believed that her fate was sealed the moment she left her hometown. | She decided to test her fortune by playing the lottery. | ‘How many do you need?’ ‘A lot.’ | We all have a destiny that should guide our choices. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | B2 | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | noun | pronoun | |
| Collocations | awful, grim, horrible, face, meet, suffer, await somebody/something, be in store for somebody/something, lie in store for somebody/something, leave your fate in somebody’s hands, place your fate in somebody’s hands, put your fate in somebody’s hands, cruel, kind, believe in, tempt, leave something to, decide something, decree something, intervene, an accident of fate, a turn of fate, a twist of fate | considerable, enormous, great, accumulate, acquire, amass, hunter, fortune from, fortune in, fortune on, fame and fortune, heir to a fortune, heiress to a fortune, good, bad, ill, piece, stroke, have, bring (somebody), be on somebody’s side, favour/favor somebody, smile on somebody, as good fortune would have it, a change in fortune, a change of fortune, declining, flagging, changing, boost, improve, revive, change, fluctuate, improve, a reversal of fortune, a reversal of fortunes, read, tell, teller, telling | a lot of, lot to do, lot going on | embrace your destiny, fulfill your destiny, discover your destiny, fight against destiny, change your destiny |
| Antonyms | choice, free will, determination | poverty, misfortune | little, few | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'fate' vs 'destiny' - 'fate' is often considered more fatalistic., Used inappropriately in a non-physical sense, such as 'fate of feelings'., Omitting articles incorrectly, e.g., 'Fate is inevitable' instead of 'The fate is inevitable.' | Confused with 'fortuitous' — relates to chance, not wealth., Placing 'a' before 'fortune' when referencing large amounts, e.g., 'a fortune' not 'fortune'. | Using 'lot' when referring to a single item or a smaller quantity., Confusing 'lot' with 'lot's' meaning possession., Mispronouncing 'lot' as 'lot's' or 'lots' when using it as a quantifier. | Confused with 'fate' - destiny implies a predetermined path, while fate can refer to unexpected outcomes., Misinterpreted as only negative; destiny can also be positive., Used too casually; it's often a serious concept. |
| Usage notes | Use 'fate' when discussing destiny or unavoidable events. It's formal enough for serious topics but can also be used casually. Avoid using in overly casual or light conversations. | Used in contexts related to wealth or luck. Not typically used in formal business conversations. | Use 'lot' in casual conversations to express quantity or degree. It's less formal than terms like 'a great deal' or 'many'. Avoid in academic writing. | Used in discussions about fate and life choices; can be philosophical or spiritual. Not suitable for casual or humor contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Fate vs Fortune vs Lot vs We all have a destiny
What's the difference between Fate, Fortune, Lot, and We all have a destiny?
Fate: What happens to a person or thing in the future. Fortune: A lot of money or good luck. Lot: A large amount or number of something. We all have a destiny: Our future that is meant to happen.
Which is more advanced: Fate, Fortune, Lot, and We all have a destiny?
Fate is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Fate: She believed that her fate was sealed the moment she left her hometown. Fortune: She decided to test her fortune by playing the lottery. Lot: ‘How many do you need?’ ‘A lot.’ We all have a destiny: We all have a destiny that should guide our choices.
Can I use Fate, Fortune, Lot, and We all have a destiny interchangeably?
Not always. Fate, Fortune, Lot, and We all have a destiny are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.