a fortunate soul

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fortunate soul" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is lucky or has had good fortune in life. Example: "She is truly a fortunate soul, having found love and success at such a young age."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Scratch the surface of Carell's extraordinarily mannered du Pont and we find a touch of Philip Seymour Hoffman's inimitable Truman Capote, another "cultured" character whose apparently honourable mentoring of a less fortunate soul masks naked ambition and self-pitying rage.

The Guardian - Film

Since god sees all, he would definitely see you donating your hard earned cash to a less fortunate soul.

Huffington Post

A few fortunate souls succeeded in joining their brethren in White Russia, where the Society continued to exist, thanks to the refusal of Catherine the Great to acknowledge the papal decree of suppression.

Johns Hopkins University

We understand that arranging a last minute vacation wanders far into the lands of fantasy for most, so VICE and Intel and the lovely humanitarians at Jetsetter are offering up a pair of tickets, travel AND two nights at the Ace Hotel during the New York event to one fortunate soul living in the continental United States.

Vice

Those who knew him found him to be a true gentlemen and an original and are fortunate souls indeed.

The New York Times

"Those who read him felt they knew him, and those who knew him were profoundly fortunate souls". A statement from Vanity Fair said he died of pneumonia, a complication of his cancer.

BBC

Our vessel carried a total of 2,000 fortunate souls, all of whom had the option of walking ashore, taking a ship-organised excursion, jumping in the nearest taxi or hiring a car for the day, which proved most advantageous on Maui and Kauai where the overnight stay encouraged us to be more adventurous.

BBC

A honey-fall is a rare piece of luck; less fortunate souls, including those who get daddly or nazzled (drunk), may suffer dodderums (violent shakings), scutters (diarrhoea) or a clunter (a heavy fall), in which case they'll own up to being nobbut middlin (a touch unwell).

The Guardian - Books

TrippYouutants: A Stop-Motion Love Story.

Vice

Some say luck is decided by our fates, or believe that some fortunate souls are mysteriously born under a lucky star.

Huffington Post

Can you ensure we have speedy boarding?" Well, you will be pleased to know that, under a moonlit sky, the love that had been suppressed over such a long time in Court 73 indeed bloomed for these fortunate souls.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a fortunate soul", ensure that the context clearly indicates the source or reason for their good fortune. This adds depth and credibility to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a fortunate soul" excessively in overly sentimental or cliché situations. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and make your writing sound insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fortunate soul" functions as a descriptive noun phrase. It typically serves to identify or characterize an individual who is perceived as having received favorable circumstances or blessings in life. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

HuffPost

30%

Independent

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fortunate soul" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe someone who has experienced considerable luck or positive circumstances. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is deemed correct for standard English usage. While predominantly found in news and media contexts, its usage is relatively rare. Related phrases include "a lucky individual" and "a blessed soul", each offering slightly different nuances. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clarifies the reasons for the individual's fortune and avoid overuse in overly sentimental situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a lucky individual

Replaces "fortunate" with "lucky" and "soul" with "individual", focusing on luck as the defining characteristic.

a blessed soul

Substitutes "fortunate" with "blessed", emphasizing divine favor rather than general luck.

a privileged person

Replaces "fortunate" with "privileged", highlighting advantages and opportunities not available to everyone.

a charmed life

Shifts the focus from the person to their life, suggesting a life consistently blessed with good fortune.

one of the lucky ones

Uses a more general phrasing to indicate membership in a group that has experienced good fortune.

a person favored by fate

Replaces "fortunate" with a more descriptive phrase, emphasizing destiny's role in their good fortune.

a person born under a lucky star

Uses a more metaphorical phrase to emphasize that the person was born lucky.

someone who has it all

Focuses on the abundance of positive elements in the person's life.

a favored individual

Replaces "fortunate" with "favored", focusing on how fate smiled on them.

a person of good fortune

Rephrases to emphasize that the person has good fortune.

FAQs

How can I use "a fortunate soul" in a sentence?

You can use "a fortunate soul" to describe someone who has experienced considerable luck or positive circumstances in their life. For example: "Despite the hardships, she considered herself "a fortunate soul" because of her loving family."

What are some alternatives to "a fortunate soul"?

Alternatives include "a lucky individual", "a blessed soul", or "a privileged person". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a fortunate soul" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "a fortunate soul" may sound slightly informal or sentimental for some formal contexts. Consider whether a more neutral term like "fortunate person" or "lucky individual" might be more suitable.

What is the difference between "a fortunate soul" and "a lucky person"?

While similar, "a fortunate soul" often carries a slightly deeper connotation, suggesting an inherent blessedness or favor that extends beyond mere luck. "A lucky person" simply implies someone who experiences favorable outcomes.