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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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fortunate circumstances

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Ray's string of fortunate circumstances ended with the Restoration.

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Encyclopedias

Encyclopedia Britannica

Yet these fortunate circumstances are not the whole story.

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News & Media

The Guardian - Business

They learn to appreciate the family legacy and their own fortunate circumstances.

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News & Media

The New York Times

He once described his life as "a succession of fortunate circumstances".

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News & Media

The New Yorker

Under the most fortunate circumstances, Jackson might sell a tape or a CD every 20 minutes.

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News & Media

The New Yorker

"It is only thanks to fortunate circumstances that not more people were killed," Mr. Herrmann said.

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News & Media

The New York Times
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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

This is a fortunate circumstance.

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News & Media

The New York Times - Arts

The fact that the Mongols could not reunite themselves was a fortunate circumstance for Ming China.

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Encyclopedias

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is due to an extraordinarily fortunate circumstance that I was saved from Dachau in 1933.

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Academia

Yale University

Fortunate circumstance has brought the old dowager a new look, and we congratulate the owners, Maureen and Charles Steppe, and the designers.

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News & Media

The New York Times

NASA takes advantage of this fortunate circumstance every times it sends a spacecraft to the outer solar system.

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News & Media

The New York Times - Science
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional or academic contexts, it serves as a polite and objective way to discuss socioeconomic advantages or accidental successes.

Common error

Do not use adjectives like 'lucky' or 'good' immediately before this phrase, as 'fortunate' already carries that meaning. Writing 'lucky fortunate circumstances' is a tautology that weakens your prose.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

96%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

This phrase acts as a complex noun phrase that functions either as the object of a preposition (e.g., "in "fortunate circumstances"") or the subject/complement of a sentence. In the data provided by Ludwig, it frequently serves to contextualize success or survival within a framework of external variables.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fortunate circumstances" is a versatile and sophisticated tool for acknowledging the role of chance in human affairs. Ludwig AI shows that it is favored by high-authority sources like The New Yorker and The New York Times to describe everything from socioeconomic advantages to lucky sports outcomes. Unlike more informal terms like "lucky breaks", this phrase maintains a level of objective detachment, making it ideal for academic and journalistic writing. It is almost always used to provide context for an outcome that might otherwise be attributed solely to skill or intent, thereby adding a layer of nuance and humility to the narrative.

FAQs

How do I use "fortunate circumstances" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a positive situation, for example: "He attributed his success to a series of "fortunate circumstances" rather than just his own efforts."

What is the difference between "fortunate circumstances" and "privileged background"?

While "fortunate circumstances" can refer to any lucky event (like a deflecting ball in sports), "privileged background" specifically refers to long-term social and economic advantages one is born with.

Can I use the singular "fortunate circumstance"?

Yes, use the singular "fortunate circumstance" when referring to one specific event, such as a well-timed introduction or a sudden change in weather.

What is a more formal way to say "lucky breaks"?

In formal writing, "fortunate circumstances" or "favorable conditions" are preferred over the colloquial 'lucky breaks'.

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

96%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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