but lucky

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but lucky" is not correct and lacks context to be usable in written English.
It may be intended to express a contrast or an unexpected positive outcome, but it needs additional context to clarify its meaning. Example: "I didn't study for the exam, but lucky for me, I passed."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But, lucky us!

The New Yorker

Feel very humble but lucky.

The Guardian

They were good, but lucky too.

The New York Times - Sports

He was anything but lucky.

The New York Times - Books

I am a terrible fisherman, but lucky.

The Guardian - Travel

Perhaps we were reckless but lucky.

The Guardian - Travel

But, lucky or unluckily for Fassbender, Sorkin eventually conceded.

Independent

But lucky to escape yellow card for tackle on Parra.

The Guardian - Sport

But, lucky for you, you can read tomorrow's headlines today!

The Guardian

Singapore has had a lucky run, but lucky runs don't last.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

But -- lucky for me -- glasses got cooler.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and grammatical correctness, replace "but lucky" with more formal alternatives like "but fortunately" or "but luckily". This enhances the readability and credibility of your writing, particularly in professional and academic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "but lucky" without adding necessary grammatical elements (e.g., a subject and verb). This construction is often seen as grammatically incomplete and can detract from the clarity of your message. Instead, expand it to "but I was lucky" or use a clearer adverbial form like "but fortunately".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but lucky" primarily functions as a conjunctional phrase introducing an element of chance or unexpected good fortune that contrasts with a previous statement. It aims to highlight a positive outcome despite potential negative circumstances, as demonstrated by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "but lucky" is frequently used, especially in news and media, to introduce a fortunate outcome contrasting with prior circumstances. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. While common, it is advisable to replace it with grammatically sound alternatives such as "but fortunately" or restructure the sentence for clarity in formal writing. Despite its prevalence, using more precise language enhances credibility and readability. The choice depends on context, with informal settings allowing for "but lucky" and formal settings benefiting from grammatically correct alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but fortunately

Replaces "lucky" with its direct adverbial synonym, providing a grammatically sound alternative.

but luckily

Similar to 'but fortunately', replaces "lucky" with an adverb to maintain grammatical correctness.

however, I was lucky

Rephrases to use "lucky" as an adjective describing the speaker, adding a subject and verb for correctness.

but as luck would have it

Introduces a more idiomatic expression that replaces the direct adjective with a common figure of speech.

but by good fortune

Replaces "lucky" with a more formal noun phrase indicating a positive outcome.

though fortunate

Offers a concise, though slightly less common, way to convey the same meaning with better grammar.

yet, luckily

Swaps "but" for "yet" and "lucky" for "luckily," creating a slightly different tone while maintaining similar meaning.

I was fortunate, however

Inverts the sentence structure and employs "fortunate" as an adjective, improving grammatical flow.

I got lucky, though

Uses a more casual expression while retaining the core meaning, fitting well in informal contexts.

by a stroke of luck, however

Employs an idiomatic phrase, replacing the direct adjective with a more descriptive expression of chance.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "but lucky" that are grammatically correct?

You can use alternatives such as "but fortunately", "but luckily", or rephrase the sentence to include a subject and verb, like "however, I was lucky".

Is "but lucky" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "but lucky" is not grammatically correct. It's best to use more complete or grammatically sound alternatives like "but fortunately".

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "but lucky"?

While "but lucky" appears in various sources, it's generally more suitable for informal contexts. In formal or professional writing, it's advisable to use grammatically correct alternatives to maintain clarity and credibility.

How can I rephrase a sentence using "but lucky" to make it more grammatically sound?

Instead of "but lucky", try "but fortunately" or "but luckily". Alternatively, restructure the sentence to include a subject and verb, such as "However, I was lucky" or "But, lucky for me".