fortunate to see

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fortunate to see" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express gratitude or appreciation for having the opportunity to witness or experience something positive. Example: "I feel fortunate to see such a beautiful sunset during my vacation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I was fortunate to see Mandela up close twice.

University of California, Berkeley

A group of tigers — should one be so fortunate to see one — is called a streak.

The New Yorker

I've been fortunate to see some wonderful stuff at the fringe over the years.

The Guardian

We were fortunate to see something that not everyone sees: lions in a tree on the Serengeti at sunset.

The New York Times

Mkhitaryan gifted possession to Derby, Winnall raced forward and the Armenian was fortunate to see the attack fizzle out.

The Guardian - Sport

"I believe it was fortunate to see such culture and skills transmitted from Korea to Japan," he said.

The Guardian

I was fortunate to see both "Merchant" and "Tale" on nearly perfect summer nights, before the punishing heat had moved into Manhattan.

The New York Times

I've worked on the last 14 issues of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, and I've been very fortunate to see most of the world.

The New York Times

Mr. Sears was fortunate to see it from the Kennedy Space Center Causeway, seven miles from the launching pad on the other side of the Banana River.

The New York Times - Travel

Malians, and we, will be fortunate to see the extremists vanquished that quickly and "cheaply" – and with that few civilian and western lives lost.

The Guardian - Opinion

The second, though, beats Cook all ends up and he's a touch fortunate to see the ball flash past the edge.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fortunate to see", consider the context and ensure it aligns with the overall tone of your writing. It works well in both formal and informal settings, but is particularly effective when describing memorable or significant events.

Common error

Avoid using "fortunate to see" when describing everyday occurrences or things that are readily accessible. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing sound insincere. Reserve it for truly remarkable or meaningful experiences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fortunate to see" functions as an adjectival phrase followed by a verb. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to express a feeling of gratitude or privilege for having witnessed something. It modifies the subject by indicating their favorable position in experiencing the event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fortunate to see" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express gratitude or appreciation for witnessing something special. Ludwig AI validates its appropriateness and widespread use. It is frequently found in News & Media and academic contexts, making it suitable for various writing styles. Remember to reserve it for truly remarkable events to maintain its impact. Consider alternatives like "lucky enough to witness" or "privileged to observe" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had the good fortune to see

Rephrases the sentiment using a more formal tone.

incredibly lucky to view

Emphasizes the extraordinary luck involved in seeing something.

lucky enough to witness

Emphasizes luck as the primary reason for the experience.

felt grateful to witness

Expresses thankfulness for the experience of seeing something.

privileged to observe

Highlights the special access or status that allows one to see something.

had the privilege of seeing

Indicates a special right or advantage in experiencing something.

blessed to view

Implies a divine favor or blessing in being able to see something.

had the opportunity to view

Highlights the availability of the chance to see something

in a position to witness

Focuses on the circumstances that allowed the viewing.

was able to observe

A simple way of saying someone had the capability to witness something

FAQs

How can I use "fortunate to see" in a sentence?

You can use "fortunate to see" to express gratitude for witnessing something positive, such as "I was "fortunate to see" Mandela up close twice" or "We were "fortunate to see" lions in a tree on the Serengeti at sunset".

What are some alternatives to "fortunate to see"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "lucky enough to witness", "privileged to observe", or "blessed to view".

Is it correct to say "I am fortunate to saw" instead of "I was fortunate to see"?

No, "I am fortunate to saw" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "I was "fortunate to see"", where "see" is the base form of the verb.

What's the difference between "fortunate to see" and "lucky to see"?

While both phrases express a sense of good fortune, "fortunate to see" often implies a slightly more profound or meaningful experience, whereas "lucky to see" can be used in more casual contexts. Both are acceptable, but the nuance can vary.