lucky that

USAGE SUMMARY

"lucky that" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
It is typically used to express the feeling of being relieved for a fortunate occurrence. For example, "I'm lucky that I didn't get stuck in traffic on my way to work this morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lucky that wasn't a penalty.

The Guardian - Sport

It was so lucky, that was funny".

The New York Times - Sports

I was quite lucky that evening.

The New York Times - Sports

She said he was just lucky, that was all.

The New Yorker

EMILY: We're not lucky; that's a prime requisite.

The New Yorker

"We got lucky that didn't go in," Pondexter said.

The New York Times - Sports

If you're lucky, that is.

Forbes

I was lucky that's all he did.

Forbes

He's just lucky that way".

The New Yorker

We're lucky that we do.

The New Yorker

I was lucky that it was summer.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lucky that" to express relief or gratitude for a fortunate event, especially when acknowledging that the outcome could have been negative.

Common error

Avoid using "lucky that" when simply describing a positive situation without implying a potential negative alternative. In such cases, a more direct adjective like "fortunate" or "successful" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lucky that" functions as a conjunction phrase that introduces a clause explaining the reason for feeling fortunate. It expresses a sense of relief or gratitude about a favorable outcome, often implying that a less desirable result was possible. Examples from Ludwig show usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Sports

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lucky that" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase expressing relief or gratitude about a fortunate outcome, often implying a possible negative alternative. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is prevalent in diverse contexts, including news, academia, and sports. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal settings. When using "lucky that", ensure the context implies a sense of relief rather than simply describing a positive situation. Alternatives like "fortunate that" or "thankfully" can be used to diversify your writing. Avoid using "lucky that" to describe exclusively positive situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fortunate that

Replaces "lucky" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing the positive aspect of chance.

fortunate enough that

Adds emphasis to the fortunate nature of the situation.

fortunate in that

Uses a different preposition to introduce the reason for the good fortune.

blessed that

Introduces a sense of gratitude or divine favor.

as luck would have it

Expresses the outcome as a result of chance or fate.

by good fortune

Highlights the role of good fortune in the situation.

as it happened

Focuses on the coincidental nature of the positive outcome.

thankfully

Expresses relief or gratitude for the positive outcome.

happily

Emphasizes the positive emotion associated with the event.

it was a stroke of luck that

Highlights the role of chance in a positive outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "lucky that" in a sentence?

You can use "lucky that" to express relief or gratitude when a potentially negative situation turns out favorably. For example, "I was "lucky that" I didn't miss my flight despite the traffic."

What are some alternatives to saying "lucky that"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "fortunate that", "thankfully", or "as luck would have it".

Is it grammatically correct to say "lucky that"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. Ludwig AI confirms that "lucky that" is a valid phrase in written English, used to express relief for a fortunate occurrence.

When is it appropriate to use "lucky that"?

Use "lucky that" when you want to emphasize that a positive outcome occurred despite a potential negative alternative. It implies a sense of gratitude or relief. For instance, "We were "lucky that" the storm didn't cause any damage to our house."