fortunately so

USAGE SUMMARY

It is grammatically correct to use the phrase "fortunately so" in a sentence, and it is often used in written English.
The phrase is typically used to indicate that something happened in a fortunate manner, or to express gratitude or relief for a fortunate outcome. It can be used in a variety of contexts, but is most commonly used at the beginning or end of a sentence. Example: The team had worked tirelessly on their project, and fortunately so, they were able to complete it on time. In this example, "fortunately so" is used at the end of the sentence to emphasize the luck or good fortune of the team's timely completion of their project. Another example: Fortunately, the storm passed by without causing any damage. In this sentence, "fortunately" is used at the beginning to express relief or gratitude for the fortunate outcome of the storm not causing any damage.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Fortunately, so does fiction.

The New Yorker

(Fortunately, so did Abraham Lincoln).

The New York Times

Fortunately so far nuclear accidents happened in developed countries.

Journal of Radiation Research and Applied Sciences

Fortunately, very fortunately, so will his victim.

The New York Times - Sports

Fortunately, so has the price of add-on surround systems.

The New York Times - Tech

"I like the sound of kids," she said, and fortunately so.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Fortunately, so-called "competition binding" experiments can be used to determine small dissociation constants KD of competitors that can displace weak "spy ligands" from the binding sites of target proteins.

ChemMedChem

Fortunately, security, so far, has been quite understanding.

The New York Times

"The military was fortunately not so clever at understanding the visual arts and interpreting the political connections".

The New York Times

Fortunately, with so many volunteers contributing data, the sheer volume washes the information, Bonney says.

Science Magazine

My life has turned out pretty well, fortunately, and so I don't have too many big regrets.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fortunately so" to succinctly express relief or a positive outcome, especially when referring back to a previous statement or situation. This phrasing adds emphasis to the fortunate aspect of the situation.

Common error

While grammatically sound, overuse of "fortunately so" can make your writing sound stilted, particularly in casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "luckily" or "thankfully" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fortunately so" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause to express that something occurred in a fortunate manner. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's often used to emphasize a positive outcome or express relief.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverbial phrase "fortunately so" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express relief or a positive outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, it conveys a sense of gratitude or highlights a beneficial consequence. While versatile, it's essential to use this phrase judiciously, opting for simpler alternatives in more casual settings. Related phrases include "luckily therefore" or "happily thus", each offering a slightly different nuance. Remember that while authoritative, overusing "fortunately so" can make your writing sound stilted, particularly in casual conversations. Ludwig's analysis and the provided examples offer a comprehensive guide to its effective deployment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

luckily therefore

Changes the adverb and connector for a slightly different emphasis.

thankfully then

Substitutes "fortunately" with "thankfully" and "so" with "then" to offer a variation in expression.

happily thus

Replaces "fortunately" with "happily" and "so" with "thus", altering the tone slightly.

mercifully as a result

Uses "mercifully" instead of "fortunately" and "as a result" instead of "so", adding a stronger sense of relief.

providentially accordingly

Replaces "fortunately" with "providentially" and "so" with "accordingly", lending a more formal tone.

as luck would have it, therefore

Emphasizes the role of luck, replacing "fortunately" with an idiomatic expression.

auspiciously consequently

Swaps "fortunately" with "auspiciously" and "so" with "consequently", shifting the focus to a favorable sign.

by good fortune, it followed

Rephrases the idea to emphasize the role of fortune in the positive outcome.

good thing that

Presents a simpler, more direct expression of relief.

in a lucky turn, that's how it went

Offers an informal, narrative way to express the fortunate event.

FAQs

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

"Fortunately so" is typically used to emphasize a positive outcome or express relief. For example, "The rescue team arrived quickly, and "fortunately so", they were able to save everyone."

What are some alternatives to "fortunately so"?

Alternatives include "luckily", "thankfully", or "happily", depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey. You could also rephrase the sentence for clarity.

Is it more appropriate to use "fortunately" or "fortunately so"?

"Fortunately" is a general adverb expressing good fortune, while "fortunately so" emphasizes that good fortune in relation to a specific event or situation. The choice depends on whether you want to express general luck or highlight a particular fortunate outcome.

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

"Fortunately" implies that something happened due to luck or chance, whereas "thankfully" expresses gratitude for a positive outcome. While they can sometimes be used interchangeably, "thankfully" has a stronger emotional connotation of appreciation.