but luckily

USAGE SUMMARY

'but luckily' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it as a way to provide a contrast between two events or statements. For example, "I had a bad day at work but luckily I was still able to have dinner with my family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But, luckily, we are".

The New York Times - Sports

But luckily, it failed.

Columbia University

But luckily, you do.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But luckily I didn't".

The Guardian - Sport

But luckily I do.

The Guardian - Sport

"But luckily, it went away".

The New York Times - Sports

"But luckily not my family".

The New York Times - Sports

"But luckily I came around.

The New York Times

But luckily I'm an expert".

The Guardian

But luckily Hunt is a true leader.

Independent

But luckily for us, "reductionism works".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but luckily" to introduce a positive or fortunate outcome that contrasts with a preceding negative situation or potential problem. This helps to create a sense of relief or positive resolution in your writing.

Common error

Avoid overusing "but luckily" in close succession, as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure and use alternative phrases such as "however fortunately" or "thankfully" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but luckily" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase, connecting two contrasting ideas or events. It introduces a positive or fortunate outcome that alleviates or negates a previously mentioned negative situation. As Ludwig AI states, it provides a contrast between two events or statements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

17%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but luckily" is a grammatically correct and frequently used conjunctive phrase that serves to introduce a fortunate outcome contrasting with a preceding negative situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and useful expression in written English. While it's most commonly found in news and media contexts, it's also acceptable in academic writing. Remember to vary your sentence structure and consider alternatives like "however fortunately" to avoid redundancy. This phrase is a valuable tool for creating a sense of relief and positive resolution in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however fortunately

Replaces "but" with "however" and "luckily" with "fortunately", maintaining the contrast and positive outcome.

yet fortunately

Substitutes "but" with "yet", providing a slightly different nuance while retaining the overall meaning.

happily though

Reorders the phrase and uses "happily" instead of "luckily", which slightly alters the tone.

by good fortune

Replaces the entire phrase with a more formal expression indicating a positive outcome due to luck.

as luck would have it

Introduces a more idiomatic expression to convey the fortunate outcome.

on the bright side

Shifts the focus to the positive aspect of a situation, implying a lucky escape or resolution.

mercifully

Emphasizes the relief associated with the positive outcome, suggesting a narrow escape from a negative situation.

thankfully

Highlights the feeling of gratitude related to the fortunate event.

in a fortunate turn of events

Replaces the phrase with a more descriptive and formal way of expressing the lucky outcome.

everything turned out well

Focuses on the positive resolution of a situation, implying a lucky escape or a favorable result.

FAQs

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

You can use "but luckily" to introduce a positive outcome that contrasts with a previous negative situation, such as, "I forgot my umbrella, but luckily, it didn't rain."

What are some alternatives to "but luckily"?

Alternatives include "however fortunately", "thankfully", or "by good fortune". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired tone.

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

While it's generally acceptable, starting a sentence with "but luckily" can sometimes sound informal. Consider rephrasing or using a different conjunction like "however" for a more formal tone.

What's the difference between "but luckily" and "fortunately"?

"But luckily" explicitly creates a contrast with a preceding negative situation, while "fortunately" simply introduces a positive outcome. "But luckily" emphasizes the contrast more strongly.