was very lucky

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was very lucky" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone experienced good fortune or a fortunate outcome in the past. Example: "After narrowly escaping the accident, I realized I was very lucky to be unharmed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He was very lucky.

The New Yorker

I was very lucky".

The New York Times - Sports

Someone was very lucky".

The New York Times

Actually, Soriano was very lucky.

The New York Times - Sports

"I was very lucky," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

I was very lucky to have this".

Independent

"I was very lucky," he reflects.

Independent

He was very lucky to have survived.

The New Yorker

"I was very lucky," he says.

The New York Times - Magazine

I was very lucky to have it".

The Guardian - Books

I was very lucky in many ways.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing past events, use "was very lucky" to express gratitude or acknowledge the role of chance in a positive outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "was very lucky" to diminish personal effort or skill. Acknowledge both luck and hard work for a balanced perspective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was very lucky" functions as a subject complement, describing a state or condition of being fortunate in the past. It uses an adverb ("very") to intensify the adjective ("lucky"). According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was very lucky" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe past experiences of good fortune. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is suitable for general use, particularly in news and media contexts. When using "was very lucky", it's important to acknowledge both the role of chance and any personal effort involved, avoiding the implication that success was solely due to luck. Alternative phrases like "had a stroke of luck" or "was fortunate enough" can provide subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was fortunate enough

Indicates a sufficient level of good luck to achieve a specific outcome.

caught a lucky break

Implies an unexpected opportunity that led to a positive outcome.

had a stroke of luck

Emphasizes a sudden, unexpected instance of good fortune.

landed on their feet

Highlights a positive outcome after a potentially difficult situation.

had lady luck on their side

Personifies luck as a benevolent force providing assistance.

benefited from good fortune

Highlights the positive outcome resulting from favorable circumstances.

enjoyed a charmed life

Suggests a life consistently blessed with good fortune and favorable outcomes.

experienced serendipity

Focuses on the accidental discovery of something fortunate.

was blessed

Suggests a divine or higher power influenced a positive outcome.

had good karma

Attributing a positive outcome to past good deeds or actions.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "had a stroke of luck", "was fortunate enough", or "benefited from good fortune" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "was very lucky"?

Yes, "was very lucky" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard subject-verb-adverb-adjective structure.

How do I use "was very lucky" in a sentence?

You can use "was very lucky" to describe a situation where someone experienced good fortune in the past. For example, "I was very lucky to find a parking spot downtown".

What's the difference between "was lucky" and "was very lucky"?

"Was very lucky" emphasizes the degree of luck experienced. It suggests a greater level of good fortune compared to simply "was lucky".