fortunately however

USAGE SUMMARY

"fortunately however" is a correct usage in written English and can be used to refer to a situation in which, although one thing may be true, the other thing is fortunately true.
For example, "The economy is in a poor state; fortunately however, the job market is still healthy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fortunately, however, TMA is highly supportive.

Yale University

Fortunately, however, food was exactly the reason for our visit.

The Guardian - Travel

Fortunately, however, slowly this flaw is being mended.

The Guardian - Books

Fortunately, however, Ikkei's little brother Senshu was a perfect match.

Stanford University

Fortunately, however, Terhune also listed all his other student expenses.

Columbia University

Fortunately, however, they had a blueprint to guide them.

Harvard University

Fortunately, however, it also happens to be false.

Stanford University

Fortunately, however, it's fairly easy to improve at them.

Harvard Business Review

Fortunately, however, history also shows how innovation succeeds.

Harvard Business Review

Fortunately, however, Congress is moving to turn much of the Fed's reform package into law.

The New York Times

Fortunately, however, there are plenty of opportunities for cut-rate quality-of-life enhancements.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure by placing "fortunately however" at different points within the sentence to avoid monotony and maintain reader engagement.

Common error

Avoid using "fortunately however" too frequently in your writing, as it can become repetitive and weaken the impact. Instead, diversify your vocabulary with synonyms or alternative phrasing to maintain freshness and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fortunately however" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It connects two clauses, indicating a contrast where the second clause presents a positive outcome or circumstance that mitigates or offsets the situation described in the first clause. Ludwig AI confirms that is a correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fortunately however" serves as a conjunctive adverbial phrase to introduce a positive contrast, indicating relief or optimism after acknowledging a challenge. While considered grammatically correct and verified by Ludwig AI, its frequency should be balanced with synonyms to avoid redundancy. It is frequently used in news, academic, and scientific writing. Top sources employing the phrase include The New York Times, The Guardian, and Harvard Business Review. Remember to use it to signal a positive turn in your narrative, but be mindful of overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fortunately even

Adds a sense of surprise or unexpectedness to the positive outcome.

luckily however

Emphasizes the role of chance or good fortune in the positive outcome.

happily however

Highlights the pleasant or joyful aspect of the situation.

fortunately instead

Indicates a direct replacement of a negative outcome with a positive one.

mercifully however

Suggests relief from a potentially dire situation.

thankfully however

Expresses gratitude for the positive turn of events.

on the bright side however

Shifts focus to the positive aspects despite the negative context.

all is not lost however

Offers reassurance that there is still hope or positive potential.

not all doom and gloom however

Counters a pessimistic outlook with a glimmer of positivity.

things could be worse however

Provides a perspective of comparative relief.

FAQs

How can I use "fortunately however" in a sentence?

Use "fortunately however" to introduce a contrasting, positive element after mentioning a potential negative or challenge. For instance, "The project faced initial setbacks; fortunately however, the team was able to overcome them and deliver exceptional results."

What are some alternatives to "fortunately however"?

Consider using alternatives such as "luckily however", "happily however", or "mercifully however" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it redundant to use "fortunately however"?

While both words express a positive circumstance, using them together can emphasize the contrast or unexpectedness of the positive outcome. However, overuse can lead to redundancy, so use it judiciously.

What's the difference between "fortunately however" and "unfortunately however"?

"Fortunately however" introduces a positive twist or outcome, while "unfortunately however" introduces a negative one. The choice depends entirely on the context and the message you're trying to convey. Be careful in using "unfortunately however" because it sounds sarcastic when used.