fortunately rather

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fortunately rather" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not typically used together, as "rather" usually modifies adjectives or adverbs, while "fortunately" stands alone as an expression of good fortune. Example: "Fortunately, the weather cleared up just in time for the picnic."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But fortunately, rather than let you stew in your manipulated feels, we have synthesized a quick explainer.

The Washington Post

True villains and true psychopaths are, fortunately, rather rare; but, in the right circumstances, becoming unfeelingly obedient and inhuman in this way can become a common condition.

The Guardian - Opinion

Side effects of evidence-based psychotherapies are fortunately rather rare [ 27].

BMC Psychiatry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Fortunately, and rather remarkably on cue, looser, wider trousers are popping up all over the place -- on chic girls around town, on Carine Roitfeld (left) at the couture shows, on the racks at Bergdorf Goodman.

The New York Times

Fortunately, and rather miraculously, when their broker went back to her office, she discovered that a deal on a 2,000-square-foot 2,000-square-foot 2,000-square-footustriplexn through.

The New York Times

Fortunately, the rather embarrassingly characterised Sultan of Baghdad is excised from David Wood's adaptation, though the assembly of a joint British-Swedish task force to rid the world of carnivorous giants is deftly handled.

The Guardian

Fortunately — or, rather, blissfully — for audiences at the John W. Engeman Theater at Northport, the actors playing Willie and Al in Neil Simon's "The Sunshine Boys" there, Lewis J. Stadlen and Chip Zien, are both masters of timing a joke, delivering a line and working as one.

The New York Times

Academic misconduct is, fortunately, the exception rather than the norm.

University of California, Berkeley

He also, rather fortunately, attracts the attentions of Michelle Pfeiffer's millionaire's daughter.

Independent

Further Education, however, fortunately escaped the rather brutal chop that was expected.

The Guardian

Eventually he's rather fortunately brought down by Hammell 30 yards out, but the free-kick comes to nothing.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to express luck or a positive outcome, use "fortunately" as a standalone adverb rather than attempting to modify it with "rather". It provides clarity and avoids grammatical awkwardness.

Common error

Avoid using "rather" to intensify adverbs like "fortunately". "Rather" typically modifies adjectives or adverbs expressing degree, and using it with "fortunately" can sound unnatural and grammatically questionable. Prefer using "fortunately" alone to convey the intended meaning effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fortunately rather" functions as an attempt to modify an adverb of manner ("fortunately") with an intensifier ("rather"). However, this combination is grammatically unconventional and not typically used in standard English. Ludwig AI confirms this with its analysis.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

22%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fortunately rather" is an uncommon and grammatically questionable construction attempting to intensify the adverb "fortunately". Ludwig AI suggests that this phrase is not correct. While it appears in a limited number of sources, primarily in News & Media and Science, it's advisable to use "fortunately" alone or rephrase the sentence for improved clarity and grammatical correctness. Alternatives like "luckily", "happily", or "thankfully" offer better options for expressing a positive outcome. Overall, prioritizing grammatical accuracy and clarity is crucial in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

luckily

Replaces the entire phrase with a single adverb conveying the idea of good fortune.

fortunately

Uses only the adverb indicating good fortune, omitting the intensifier.

happily

Substitutes "fortunately" with a similar adverb denoting a positive outcome.

thankfully

Replaces "fortunately" with an alternative expressing gratitude for a positive result.

as luck would have it

Emphasizes the role of chance or luck in a positive outcome.

by good fortune

Expresses the positive outcome as a result of favorable luck.

it was fortunate that

Rephrases the sentiment as a statement of luck regarding a situation.

in a fortunate turn of events

Highlights the serendipitous nature of the situation.

luckily enough

Adds emphasis to the element of luck.

providentially

A more formal or literary synonym for "fortunately".

FAQs

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

Use "fortunately" as a standalone adverb at the beginning of a sentence or within a clause to express that something happened in a lucky or favorable way. For example, "Fortunately, the rain stopped" or "We were, fortunately, able to find a solution".

What are some alternatives to "fortunately"?

Alternatives include "luckily", "happily", "thankfully", or "as luck would have it" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "fortunately rather"?

While some instances of "fortunately rather" appear in text, it's generally considered grammatically awkward. It's better to use "fortunately" alone or rephrase the sentence for clarity and correctness.

What's the difference between "fortunately" and "luckily"?

"Fortunately" and "luckily" are often interchangeable, both expressing a positive or favorable outcome. However, "fortunately" can sometimes imply a sense of relief or gratitude, while "luckily" emphasizes the role of chance or good fortune. For example, "Fortunately, we brought an umbrella (implying relief)" versus "Luckily, I found a dollar on the street (emphasizing chance)".