exceptionally fortunate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exceptionally fortunate" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone who is very lucky or has had a particularly positive outcome. An example: "She felt exceptionally fortunate to have received the scholarship." Alternative expressions include "incredibly lucky" and "remarkably blessed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Princeton was exceptionally fortunate.

Princeton University

"I was exceptionally fortunate that Alison Feder chose my lab for her Ph.D.

University of California, Berkeley

Collins also believes he's been exceptionally fortunate, remaining intact while manning a position for which injuries are common.

The New York Times - Sports

I have been exceptionally fortunate to work with two of the best photographers around - first Fleur Olby and for the past few years Howard Sooley.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Rees-Mogg writes that "my life has been exceptionally fortunate and happy", and the best and most heartfelt parts of the book are those that deal with his family, whether his actress mother or his MP son, Jacob, whose unapologetically high-Tory views are guyed on Twitter by an imposter.

The Guardian - Books

You likely won't get every job you desire, or every promotion, or every bonus... unless you're exceptionally fortunate.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

I had been exceptionally lucky, more than fortunate: so many of us are.

Huffington Post

The Series A round, recalls Beim, was exceptionally competitive, and he felt fortunate to be chosen as an investor.

TechCrunch

ITV director of news and current affairs Michael Jermey said: "ITV News is fortunate to have an exceptionally talented line-up of experienced and knowledgeable newscasters.

The Guardian

Tanguay: Overall, we are very fortunate that our brand performs exceptionally well economically for our franchisees – in fact, we have the distinct achievement of never having closed a single studio throughout the entire company's history.

Forbes

I am fortunate enough to work with exceptionally bright students who want to change the world for the better.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional writing, use this phrase to acknowledge external factors contributing to success, which demonstrates humility and awareness.

Common error

Avoid using "exceptionally fortunate" as a hollow polite filler. If the situation is only mildly positive, stick to 'fortunate' or 'lucky'. Using the intensifier too frequently can make your writing seem hyperbolic or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exceptionally fortunate" functions as an adjective phrase modified by an intensifying adverb. In a sentence, it typically serves as a subject complement following a linking verb (e.g., "she was...") or as part of a noun phrase. According to Ludwig AI, this structure is standard and grammatically correct for expressing a high degree of luck.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exceptionally fortunate" is a highly effective and grammatically correct way to describe circumstances of significant luck or positive advantage. Analysis from Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is frequently utilized by top-tier journalistic and academic institutions such as The New York Times and Princeton University. It strikes a perfect balance between expressive intensity and professional restraint, making it suitable for both personal reflections and formal reporting. Whether acknowledging a career milestone or a narrow escape from misfortune, this phrase communicates a deep sense of gratitude and recognizes the extraordinary nature of the event. To vary your writing, consider alternatives like "remarkably lucky" for casual settings or "immensely blessed" for more emotive or spiritual contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remarkably lucky

Replaces the formal 'fortunate' with the more common 'lucky' while maintaining a similar intensity.

quite fortunate

A slightly less intense version, often used in British English for understatement.

unusually blessed

Introduces a spiritual or providential nuance that suggests the luck is a gift.

highly favored

Implies being chosen or preferred, often used in formal or literary contexts.

immensely privileged

Focuses on the social or economic advantages rather than pure chance.

supremely advantaged

Highlights having superior resources or circumstances compared to others.

unbelievably serendipitous

Emphasizes the accidental and happy nature of the event.

singularly successful

Shifts the focus from luck to the outcome of achievement and uniqueness.

deeply grateful

Focuses on the emotional response to the good fortune rather than the state itself.

incredibly opportunistic

Implies the ability to take advantage of luck, adding an element of agency.

FAQs

How to use "exceptionally fortunate" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a state of being or a specific event, such as "The university was "exceptionally fortunate" to avoid the worst of the epidemic" or "He felt "exceptionally fortunate" to work with such a talented team".

What can I say instead of "exceptionally fortunate"?

Depending on your context, you can use phrases like "remarkably lucky", "immensely blessed" or "highly favored".

Is "exceptionally fortunate" formal enough for academic writing?

Yes, it is highly appropriate for formal contexts. Ludwig shows examples from Princeton University and Duke University using the phrase to describe institutional success or research opportunities.

What is the difference between "exceptionally fortunate" and "extremely lucky"?

While they are very similar, "extremely lucky" is often perceived as more casual, whereas "exceptionally fortunate" carries a more refined, formal tone and suggests a broader sense of well-being beyond mere chance.