but fortunately

USAGE SUMMARY

'but fortunately' is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, "I wasn't able to finish my work on time, but fortunately my boss was understanding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But fortunately things changed".

Independent

But, fortunately we won.

BBC

But fortunately they couldn't.

The New York Times

"But, fortunately, I have Rossini".

The New Yorker

But fortunately, we both like low lighting".

The New York Times

But fortunately an oboe is small.

Independent

"But fortunately I have very good teachers.

The New York Times - Arts

But fortunately that is an aberration.

The Guardian - Books

But fortunately I didn't have to.

The Guardian

But fortunately the troubles aren't hers.

The New York Times - Arts

"But fortunately, they're almost always preventable".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but fortunately" to introduce a contrast where an initial negative situation is followed by a positive or relieving outcome. It helps to create a sense of balance and acknowledges both aspects of the situation.

Common error

While "but fortunately" is acceptable, overuse can make writing sound repetitive. Vary sentence structure and use synonyms like "luckily" or "thankfully" to enhance readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but fortunately" functions as a contrastive conjunction combined with an adverb of manner. It serves to connect two contrasting ideas, where the second idea introduces a positive or relieving outcome after an initial challenge or negative situation. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is correct and acceptable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but fortunately" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to introduce a positive or relieving outcome that contrasts with a preceding negative situation. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and appropriate for use in written English. Analysis of the provided examples reveals that its primary function is to convey relief or highlight a favorable turn of events, particularly in news and media contexts. While versatile, writers should consider synonyms to avoid overuse and maintain readability. The phrase consistently appears in reputable sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and BBC, affirming its reliability in standard English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as luck would have it

Highlights the role of chance or serendipity in the favorable result.

by a stroke of luck

Similar to "as luck would have it", but with a slightly stronger emphasis on the unexpectedness of the good fortune.

however luckily

Replaces "but fortunately" with a more direct emphasis on luck as the primary factor.

thankfully though

Emphasizes gratitude for the positive outcome, rather than simply stating the fortunate circumstance.

yet mercifully

Substitutes "fortunately" with "mercifully", implying a sense of divine intervention or unexpected kindness.

happily enough

Conveys a sense of contentment and satisfaction in addition to the fortunate circumstance.

on the bright side

Shifts the focus to a positive aspect of a situation, suggesting a silver lining.

to my relief

Indicates personal relief at the positive outcome, shifting the focus to the speaker's feelings.

things took a turn for the better

Describes the overall shift in the situation towards a more favorable state.

it all worked out in the end

Focuses on the final positive resolution, implying that there were earlier challenges or doubts.

FAQs

How can I use "but fortunately" in a sentence?

Use "but fortunately" to connect two contrasting ideas, where the second idea presents a positive outcome after an initial challenge. For example, "The weather was terrible, but fortunately, the event was held indoors".

What are some alternatives to "but fortunately"?

You can use alternatives like "however luckily", "thankfully though", or "happily enough" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "but fortunately"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "but fortunately". The conjunction "but" can begin a sentence to introduce a contrasting idea, and "fortunately" modifies the statement to indicate a positive aspect.

How does "but fortunately" differ from "however, fortunately"?

"But fortunately" directly connects contrasting ideas, while "however, fortunately" may introduce a slightly stronger pause or separation between the two ideas. Both are generally interchangeable, but the former is more concise.