We were fortunate that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "We were fortunate that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express gratitude or a sense of luck regarding a specific situation or outcome. Example: "We were fortunate that the weather held up for our outdoor event, allowing everyone to enjoy the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We were fortunate that he was one of us.

Princeton University

"We were fortunate that the second transfer has been successful," Jessie says.

The Guardian

We were fortunate that President Bush was our commander in chief on 9/11.

The New York Times

We were fortunate that it did not escalate into a more serious incident.

The New York Times

We were fortunate that our building was strong enough to withstand the earthquake.

The Guardian

We were fortunate that our incomes could support the other one if something happened".

The New York Times

"We were fortunate that Raheem probably didn't realise how good he was," Gallen told The Independent.

Independent

We were fortunate that we could afford $3,000 for this service, but the payoff was beyond our wildest dreams.

The New York Times

We were fortunate that they turned the ball over a couple of times and that we made some shots".

The New York Times - Sports

We were fortunate that a colonel, who had been at the local officers club, took it upon himself to organize the neighborhood militias.

Princeton University

We were fortunate that we had an opportunity to see the roll out at the Under-19 World Cup [when everyone turned up except Australia].

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were fortunate that" to express gratitude or acknowledge a positive outcome resulting from favorable circumstances, especially when highlighting an element of luck or unexpected benefit. For example, "We were fortunate that the project was completed ahead of schedule."

Common error

While "we were fortunate that" is a valid expression, avoid using it excessively in close proximity within your writing. Vary your sentence structure and vocabulary by using synonyms or rephrasing to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were fortunate that" functions as a sentence starter introducing an explanation of a positive event or outcome. It expresses gratitude, relief, or acknowledgement of favorable circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

21%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were fortunate that" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to express gratitude or acknowledge a positive outcome resulting from favorable circumstances. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely accepted and used across various contexts, including news, academia, and science. While "we were lucky that" is a close alternative, "we were fortunate that" often carries a slightly stronger sense of appreciation. When using this phrase, be mindful of overuse and consider varying your vocabulary to maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

We were lucky that

Replaces "fortunate" with "lucky", maintaining the same meaning of being favored by chance.

We were so lucky that

Adds emphasis to the feeling of good fortune.

We were blessed that

Substitutes "fortunate" with "blessed", implying divine favor or good fortune.

Fortunately, we

Condenses the phrase to an adverbial form, directly expressing the fortunate circumstance.

We were in luck that

Uses the idiom "in luck" to convey a similar sense of fortuitousness.

We were favored that

Replaces 'fortunate' with 'favored,' implying being given an advantage or preferential treatment.

It was a stroke of luck that

Highlights the element of chance and unexpected positive outcome.

It was a godsend that

Indicates the positive outcome as something highly beneficial and timely, almost miraculous.

We were privileged that

Indicates an advantage or opportunity not available to everyone.

By good fortune, we

Emphasizes that the positive outcome was a result of good luck or chance.

FAQs

How can I use "We were fortunate that" in a sentence?

Use "We were fortunate that" to introduce a situation where a positive outcome occurred, often unexpectedly or due to favorable circumstances. For example, "We were fortunate that the weather held up for our outdoor event".

What can I say instead of "We were fortunate that"?

You can use alternatives like "we were lucky that", "fortunately, we", or "it was a stroke of luck that" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "We were fortunate that"?

Yes, "We were fortunate that" is grammatically correct and widely used. It expresses gratitude or acknowledgment of a positive outcome due to favorable circumstances.

What's the difference between "We were fortunate that" and "We were lucky that"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "We were fortunate that" might imply a slightly greater sense of gratitude or appreciation for the favorable circumstances, whereas "we were lucky that" emphasizes the role of chance or randomness.