fortunately

USAGE SUMMARY

"fortunately" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to express a favorable outcome or when something has happened for the best. Example sentence: Fortunately, the storm passed without causing any major damage.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fortunately, the Bloomberg Foundation agreed to cover the costs of defending Uruguay.

The Guardian

Fortunately, we had a much calmer start to our trip than the Hull honeymooners.

The Guardian - Travel

His Edymandias EdStone moment may have been one of the most ill-conceived political stunts of all time: fortunately the monarchy came to the rescue with the timely arrival of the royal baby to fill the news pages instead.

The Guardian - Opinion

Fortunately, though, there are people among us who do.

The Guardian - Tech

"Fortunately that [decision] hasn't cost us today but it can on other occasions," Sherwood said.

The Guardian - Sport

Fortunately, times have changed and we don't face such organised crimes to that extent now.

The Guardian

Fortunately there is an abundance of talent in the parliamentary party capable of ensuring that if this election has been reminiscent of 1992, the next election will recall the one that followed 1992.

The Guardian - Opinion

Moments later, Bywater appeared to have an easy collect from a Reading corner but the goalkeeper caught only air, and fortunately for him and his side, the ball slipped away to safety.

The Guardian - Sport

Fortunately, his study "is in a different league".

The Guardian - Books

On the Bure, fortunately, TheCanoeMan has worked with enlightened private landowners willing to provide crucial access to the river bank where "portage" – dragging your canoe over a field to avoid a weir or watermill, for instance – is required.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Fortunately, that is Brown's natural political home.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fortunately" to introduce a statement that contrasts with a potential negative outcome, providing a sense of relief or positive turn.

Common error

Avoid using "fortunately" when there is no clear negative situation that was averted. Ensure the context provides a recognizable risk or challenge that was successfully avoided.

Linguistic Context

"Fortunately" functions primarily as an adverb, modifying a sentence or clause to indicate that a positive outcome has occurred, often averting a potential negative one. Ludwig examples showcase its role in introducing a sense of relief or positive surprise.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fortunately" functions as an adverb to highlight a favorable outcome, often averting a negative possibility. As Ludwig shows, it's very common in News & Media contexts. The examples from Ludwig, indicate its grammatical correctness and consistent usage across reputable sources. To use "fortunately" effectively, ensure a clear contrast with a potential negative situation. Alternatives include "luckily" and "thankfully", offering similar meanings with subtle differences. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, reinforcing its value in written and spoken English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

luckily

This alternative is a direct synonym, focusing on the role of luck.

thankfully

This alternative implies a sense of gratitude for the favorable outcome.

as luck would have it

This alternative is more idiomatic and emphasizes the coincidental nature of the good fortune.

mercifully

This alternative suggests that a negative outcome was avoided due to mercy or leniency.

by good fortune

This alternative highlights the element of chance and favorable circumstances.

happily

This alternative emphasizes the positive emotional outcome of the situation.

by a stroke of luck

This alternative conveys a sudden and unexpected occurrence of good fortune.

in a lucky break

This alternative expresses an unexpected opportunity or instance of good luck.

auspiciously

This alternative suggests the situation has favorable signs or prospects for success.

it was a good thing that

This alternative is a more verbose way of expressing the fortunate nature of the event.

FAQs

How can I use "fortunately" in a sentence?

You can use "fortunately" to express a positive outcome that averts a potential negative situation. For example, "The weather was terrible, but "fortunately", the event was held indoors".

What are some synonyms for "fortunately"?

Alternatives to "fortunately" include "luckily", "thankfully", and "happily". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to include a contrasting negative situation when using "fortunately"?

While not always explicitly stated, "fortunately" implies that a less desirable outcome was possible. The strength of this implication can vary depending on the context, but it is generally understood that something negative could have occurred.

What is the difference between "fortunately" and "hopefully"?

"Fortunately" indicates that something good has already happened, whereas "hopefully" expresses a wish or expectation for a positive outcome in the future. For example, "Fortunately, we arrived on time," versus "Hopefully, we will arrive on time".