fortunate event

USAGE SUMMARY

"fortunate event" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to something that happens that brings about a good result or outcome, either for an individual or group of people. For example, "The opening of the new business was a fortunate event for the local economy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

And in what was perhaps the only fortunate event of the day, the spring on the second clip failed.

The New York Times

In the fortunate event we get a lot of submissions, we may not be able to reach out to everyone.

Stanford University

But now Snickettians are anticipating a fortunate event: the New York premiere of "The Composer Is Dead," by Lemony Snicket and Nathaniel Stookey, which the Little Orchestra Society will perform on Saturday in "Musical Mysteries".

The New York Times

Large majorities of both groups see the peaceful revolution an eastern achievement that led to unification as a fortunate event and think it has been a success, according to a poll by the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation, which is linked to the CDU.Adenauer, the first post-war chancellor, thought that "east of the Elbe the Asian steppes begin".

The Economist

If you wanted some money for your own stimulus plan, and you wanted to keep your customer on life support by devaluing the dollar, you simply could not ask for a more fortunate event.

Forbes

In retrospect, he described this accident as "a fortunate event" and cited it as a factor in making him more versatile on the court.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

A series of fortunate events followed.

The Guardian - Books

Fortunate events have led to this, and I'm here now".

The Guardian - Music

Now a series of fortunate events have conspired to spare Mr Musharraf the indignity of appearing in the dock.

The Economist

Fortunate events like a string of hit movies are most likely to be followed by more ordinary events.

The New York Times - Books

A series of fortunate events My dad wants you to elect me Definitely out of bounds Surfer chick makes waves Dropping the anchorman ReprintsPlease.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fortunate event" when emphasizing the positive and beneficial nature of a specific occurrence. For broader positive trends, consider using alternatives like "positive development" or "favorable circumstance".

Common error

Avoid using "fortunate event" in overly formal or academic writing where more precise or sophisticated vocabulary might be appropriate. Consider using "positive outcome" or "advantageous development" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fortunate event" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It acts as a subject or object in a sentence, denoting a specific occurrence or happening that is considered positive or beneficial, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fortunate event" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable way to describe a positive occurrence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's commonly used to emphasize the beneficial aspect of an event, often implying an element of chance or unexpectedness. While versatile, it might be preferable to use more precise or formal alternatives in academic writing. The phrase appears more frequently in News & Media sources and can be substituted with alternatives like "lucky break" or "happy coincidence" to add nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lucky break

Implies a sudden and unexpected instance of good luck, often changing the course of events.

stroke of luck

Similar to "lucky break", but may imply slightly less impact or significance.

happy coincidence

Highlights the chance nature of a positive occurrence, suggesting that it happened by accident.

opportune moment

Focuses on the timing of an event as being particularly advantageous.

serendipitous occasion

Emphasizes the element of discovery and unexpectedness in a fortunate event.

advantageous circumstance

Highlights the situational benefits derived from a particular event.

favorable outcome

Emphasizes the positive result or consequence of a series of events.

propitious happening

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of describing a favorable event.

godsend

Indicates an unexpected and highly welcome event, often implying divine intervention.

windfall

Implies a sudden and unexpected gain or advantage, often financial.

FAQs

How can I use "fortunate event" in a sentence?

You can use "fortunate event" to describe a positive occurrence, like: "The discovery of the new technology was a "fortunate event" for the company."

What are some alternatives to "fortunate event"?

Consider alternatives like "lucky break", "happy coincidence", or "stroke of luck" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "fortunate event" formal or informal?

The phrase "fortunate event" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal or academic writing, consider more precise alternatives.

What's the difference between "fortunate event" and "positive outcome"?

"Fortunate event" refers to a specific occurrence, while "positive outcome" describes the result or consequence of a series of events or actions.