fortunate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'fortunate' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to being lucky or fortunate. Example Sentence: He was fortunate to escape injury when the tree fell.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I've just been extremely fortunate.

The Guardian - Film

Quite often on a Sunday they have to travel to a school on the south coast or even in Scotland, so we are fortunate that they will do that for us.

The Guardian

I'm very fortunate someone like that is, you know, keen to help me".

The Guardian - Sport

Frood is quick to acknowledge that she's in a fortunate position.

The Guardian

I have just been fortunate and have been guided by the best in the field".

The Guardian

Last time, I was fortunate enough to be part of Damon [Albarn]'s Rocket Juice & the Moon project, so I'm now curious to see who I'll work with after this new Africa Express!

The Guardian - Music

I was fortunate to live there for a couple of years.

The Guardian - Books

Newman says he's coming to the US "at a very fortunate time", when it is lapping up British artists such as Adele and Arctic Monkeys.

The Guardian - Music

We were immensely fortunate to have an Irish leadership – in the form of Bertie Ahern and his key ministers – that was prepared to lay aside the grievances and attitudes of the past.

The Guardian - Opinion

President George W. Bush, another fortunate son who has lived a life of dynastic family privilege and can't truly be expected to understand how most people experience America, said the same thing.

The Guardian

Some haven't been so fortunate, with several cyclists caught cold by Garmin's break on the last climb.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fortunate", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "Lucky" is more general, while "blessed" implies a divine source of good fortune. Choose the word that best fits the context.

Common error

While "fortunate" is a valid word, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "lucky", "privileged", or "opportune" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "fortunate" primarily functions to describe someone or something that experiences good luck or favorable circumstances. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it qualifies nouns to indicate a positive outcome not necessarily earned but received through chance or circumstance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fortunate" is a versatile adjective used to describe experiences of good luck or favorable circumstances. According to Ludwig AI, the word is grammatically correct and frequently used, especially in News & Media. While "fortunate" is appropriate in many contexts, being mindful of synonyms such as "lucky" or "opportune" helps prevent repetition. Remember that "fortunate" describes a state of being, not an action. The provided examples from Ludwig showcase its versatility across various domains, confirming its status as a widely accepted and useful word in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lucky

A more direct synonym, simply expressing the state of having good luck.

lucky enough

Emphasizes the element of chance or circumstance that led to a positive outcome.

blessed

Suggests a divine favor or blessing contributing to the positive outcome.

favored

Indicates being preferred or specially chosen, leading to a fortunate situation.

providential

Implies that the good outcome was guided by divine intervention or fate.

opportune

Highlights the timeliness and suitability of the circumstances.

in my favor

Expresses that circumstances or events are advantageous to the speaker.

charmed

Implies a magical or irresistible quality that brings good fortune.

having a stroke of luck

Indicates an unexpected instance of good fortune.

in a good position

Describes being in an advantageous or favorable situation.

FAQs

How to use "fortunate" in a sentence?

You can use "fortunate" to describe someone who has good luck or a favorable outcome. For example, "I was "fortunate" to find a seat on the train" or "She is "fortunate" to have such supportive friends".

What can I say instead of "fortunate"?

You can use alternatives like "lucky", "blessed", "favored", or "opportune" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "fortunate" or "luckily"?

"Fortunate" is an adjective describing a state of being, while "luckily" is an adverb describing how something happened. For example, "I was "fortunate" to find a job" (describing my state) vs. "Luckily, I found a job" (describing how the event occurred).

What's the difference between "fortunate" and "successful"?

"Fortunate" implies luck or chance played a significant role, while "successful" implies effort and skill led to a positive outcome. Someone can be "fortunate" without being successful, and vice versa.