they were lucky

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were lucky" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone experienced good fortune or a favorable outcome. Example: "Despite the challenges they faced, they were lucky to find a solution just in time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They were lucky, too.

The New Yorker

They were lucky".

The New York Times

But they were lucky.

The Guardian - Business

Others said they were lucky.

The New York Times

They were lucky to escape.

The Guardian - Opinion

They were lucky to come away unscathed.

The New York Times

Sometimes, if they were lucky, it was vodka.

The New Yorker

They boarded for Paris or Amsterdam, if they were lucky.

The New York Times

But they were lucky and beat the odds.

The New York Times

Maybe, if they were lucky, he would even yell.

The New York Times

They were lucky: no one got the disease.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were lucky" to express relief or surprise when someone avoids a negative situation or outcome.

Common error

Avoid overusing "they were lucky" when skill or effort were the primary factors in achieving a positive result. Attribute success to effort when effort is the main reason.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were lucky" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating that a group of people experienced a favorable outcome due to chance or circumstance. It is often used to express relief or acknowledge a fortunate event. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were lucky" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote a fortunate outcome or avoidance of a negative situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and media, it maintains a neutral register and serves to acknowledge instances of good fortune. When writing, ensure the context genuinely reflects chance or unforeseen circumstances, and consider alternatives like "they were fortunate" for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were fortunate

Replaces "lucky" with a more formal synonym, maintaining the meaning of experiencing good fortune.

they had good fortune

Shifts the focus to possessing fortune, rather than experiencing luck as an adjective.

they benefited greatly

Highlights the positive outcome or advantage gained, rather than luck itself.

they dodged a bullet

Emphasizes escaping a negative situation, adding a sense of near-miss to the luck.

they had a stroke of luck

Highlights a sudden and unexpected instance of good luck.

they caught a break

Uses a more colloquial expression for experiencing a positive turn of events.

they were blessed

Implies divine favor or a higher power influencing their fortunate outcome.

they were in the right place at the right time

Specifies the conditions that contributed to their good fortune.

they managed to succeed

Focuses on the achievement of success, suggesting that luck played a role.

fate was on their side

Attributing their good fortune to destiny or fate.

FAQs

How can I use "they were lucky" in a sentence?

You can use "they were lucky" to indicate that someone experienced a favorable outcome due to chance or unforeseen circumstances. For instance, "They faced many challenges, but "they were lucky" to have supportive friends".

What can I say instead of "they were lucky"?

You can use alternatives like "they were fortunate", "they benefited", or "they caught a break" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "they were lucky" or "they had luck"?

"They were lucky" is generally preferred because it directly describes their state or condition. "They had luck" is grammatically correct but less common. "They were fortunate" is also a great choice.

What's the difference between "they were lucky" and "they were skilled"?

"They were lucky" suggests that success was due to chance or good fortune, whereas "they were skilled" implies that success was due to ability and expertise. For example, "They were lucky to find a parking spot downtown", versus "they were skilled drivers".