terribly fortunate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "terribly fortunate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a sense of irony or contrast, indicating that someone feels very lucky despite a situation that might not seem favorable. Example: "After losing my job, I thought my life was over, but I ended up finding a better opportunity; I guess I was terribly fortunate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Penalty, Thomas Müller, 2-1, ofe of those terribly fortunate Bayern wins that only Bayern are capable to pull off regularly.

The Guardian - Sport

I'm never in bed before midnight and always with a sense of how terribly fortunate I am to do something I love, and to be surrounded by young enthusiastic people.

The Guardian - Money

During our phone interview, Philander never mentioned his honors; instead he described his coming to America as a "wonderful opportunity," humbly adding, "I've been terribly fortunate since coming here".

Science Magazine

We are terribly fortunate that none of the children suffered serious injuries.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Those fortunate to have known and worked with this charming, gracious, and diplomatic man will miss him terribly.

The New York Times

If he is fortunate, the referendum pledge may cool down his party for a time, but I doubt it will be for a terribly long time.

The Guardian - Opinion

Terribly, terribly sad.

Independent

Terribly, terribly wrong, Dr. Diehl.

The New York Times

Terribly exciting".

The Guardian

Terribly correct.

Independent

He was terribly, terribly ill.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "terribly fortunate" to express a feeling of luck that is somewhat surprising or unexpected, perhaps even tinged with a hint of irony.

Common error

Avoid using "terribly" excessively in your writing. While "terribly fortunate" works, relying too much on "terribly" as an intensifier can make your writing sound unnatural or forced. Explore alternative adverbs to add variety and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "terribly fortunate" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes the state of being lucky or having good fortune, with "terribly" acting as an intensifier. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science & Research

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "terribly fortunate" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for expressing a significant or surprising degree of good luck. While relatively rare in usage, Ludwig's analysis, corroborated by real-world examples, shows that it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. It serves as an adjective phrase with a neutral register, suitable for conveying gratitude or acknowledging unexpected positive outcomes. Remember to use it sparingly and consider alternative adverbs for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incredibly fortunate

Similar in meaning, but places more emphasis on the degree of fortune experienced.

awfully lucky

Similar to "terribly fortunate", using "awfully" to intensify the feeling of luck.

extremely lucky

A direct synonym, focusing on the high degree of luck involved.

remarkably lucky

Emphasizes the unexpected and noteworthy nature of the good luck.

unbelievably lucky

Emphasizes the surprising and almost improbable nature of the good fortune.

exceptionally blessed

Highlights the sense of receiving divine favor or a particularly generous gift.

extraordinarily lucky

Stresses the exceptional quality of the luck experienced.

incredibly blessed

Emphasizes the divine favor associated with the good fortune.

blessed beyond measure

Highlights the overwhelming sense of good fortune and divine favor.

surprisingly fortunate

Focuses on the unexpected element of the good luck.

FAQs

How can I use "terribly fortunate" in a sentence?

You can use "terribly fortunate" to express that someone has experienced a surprising or significant stroke of good luck. For example, "Despite the initial setbacks, he was "terribly fortunate" to land such a lucrative deal."

What are some alternatives to saying "terribly fortunate"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "incredibly lucky", "exceptionally blessed", or "remarkably fortunate".

Is "terribly fortunate" formal or informal?

"Terribly fortunate" falls in the neutral register and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although alternatives might be preferred in highly formal settings.

What's the difference between "terribly fortunate" and "very fortunate"?

"Terribly fortunate" implies a higher degree of luck or a more surprising element of good fortune than simply being "very fortunate".