it was lucky

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it was lucky' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something positive that happened due to good fortune. For example: "It was lucky that I had an umbrella with me yesterday; it started to rain right after I left the house!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it was lucky.

The New York Times - Sports

It was lucky.

The New York Times - Sports

It was lucky she did.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It was lucky I was studying.

The New York Times

It was lucky, too, that the Obamas weren't there.

The New Yorker

And it was lucky to get a 12A certificate.

Independent

"It was lucky that the police arrived quickly," he said.

The New Yorker

"It was lucky it happened when it did.

The Guardian

It was lucky that the debris wasn't any larger.

The Guardian

It was lucky that she had enough eggs.

The New York Times - Food

"It was lucky break, that's for sure," Bates said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow "it was lucky" with a 'that' clause to explain the fortunate event. For example: "It was lucky that I checked my email before leaving."

Common error

Avoid using "it was lucky" when the positive outcome is primarily due to skill or effort. Instead, acknowledge the hard work involved. For example, say "I succeeded because of my preparation" rather than "It was lucky that I succeeded" if you studied diligently for an exam.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was lucky" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing a positive assessment of a past event due to chance or good fortune. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and commonly used expression to acknowledge the role of luck.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was lucky" is a versatile and frequently used expression to indicate a positive outcome resulting from chance or good fortune. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. When writing, remember to reserve "it was lucky" for scenarios where chance genuinely played a significant role, not just in cases of skill. Using alternatives like "it was fortunate" or "it was a stroke of luck" can also add nuance to your expression. As Ludwig's analysis shows, this simple phrase carries a wealth of communicative power.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was fortunate

Replaces "lucky" with "fortunate", emphasizing the positive outcome.

it was a piece of good fortune

Emphasizes the beneficial aspect of the situation.

it was a stroke of luck

Highlights the element of chance involved in the positive outcome.

it was a blessing in disguise

Highlights a positive outcome that was not initially apparent.

it was a good thing

Simplifies the expression to a general statement of positivity.

it turned out well

Focuses on the positive result, implying a potentially uncertain situation.

it was providential

Suggests divine intervention or a guiding hand in the fortunate event.

by some good chance

Stresses the role of chance in achieving the positive outcome.

it was just as well

Indicates that the event was positive in light of potential negative consequences.

as luck would have it

Idiomatic expression highlighting the influence of luck.

FAQs

How can I use "it was lucky" in a sentence?

You can use "it was lucky" to express relief or gratitude for a positive outcome that occurred by chance. For example, "It was lucky that the rain stopped before the picnic started."

What can I say instead of "it was lucky"?

You can use alternatives like "it was fortunate", "it was a stroke of luck", or "it was a good thing depending on the context.

Is it better to say "it was lucky" or "I was lucky"?

Both "it was lucky" and "I was lucky" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "It was lucky" emphasizes the role of chance in a situation, while "I was lucky" focuses on the personal experience of good fortune.

What does "it was lucky" imply about the speaker's role?

"It was lucky" often implies that the speaker had little or no control over the positive outcome, attributing it instead to external factors or chance.