we were fortunate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were fortunate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express gratitude or acknowledgment of a positive situation or outcome that occurred by chance or luck. Example: "Despite the challenges we faced, we were fortunate to have supportive friends and family by our side."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We were fortunate.

The New Yorker

We were fortunate they missed".

The New York Times - Sports

We were fortunate to have known Sy.

The New York Times

"We were fortunate to get those parks".

The New York Times - Sports

"We were fortunate to win," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

We were fortunate to pull through".

The New York Times - Sports

We were fortunate in several ways.

Harvard Business Review

We were fortunate to have the money.

The New York Times

We were fortunate in this respect.

The Guardian

We were fortunate that he was one of us.

Princeton University

We were fortunate enough to build a working board, however.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were fortunate" to express gratitude when acknowledging a positive outcome that was influenced by luck or circumstances beyond your control. This conveys humility and acknowledges external factors.

Common error

While suitable for many situations, avoid overusing "we were fortunate" in highly formal or professional writing where a more precise and direct description of the positive outcome might be more effective. For example, instead of "we were fortunate to secure the contract", consider "our proposal successfully met all requirements and secured the contract".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were fortunate" primarily functions as a declarative statement expressing gratitude or acknowledgment of a positive outcome due to luck or favorable circumstances. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a standard and usable phrase, commonly found across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

25%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were fortunate" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express gratitude or acknowledge luck in a past event. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It's versatile enough for various contexts, though careful consideration should be given in highly formal settings where more precise language might be preferred. Common alternatives include "we were lucky" and "we were privileged". The phrase finds frequent application across news media, academic writing, and scientific publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were lucky

This is a direct synonym, emphasizing chance and good luck.

we were in luck

An idiomatic expression indicating a positive turn of events.

we were privileged

Implies access to advantages or opportunities not available to everyone.

we caught a break

Suggests an unexpected opportunity or fortunate circumstance.

we had the good fortune

Rephrases the idea using "good fortune" as a noun.

we were blessed

Suggests divine favor or a gift from a higher power.

we benefited greatly

Focuses on the positive outcome or advantage received.

we had the advantage

Highlights a beneficial position or circumstance that aided success.

we were favored

Implies that someone or something showed partiality toward us.

circumstances aligned in our favor

Emphasizes that external factors contributed to a positive outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "we were fortunate" in a sentence?

You can use "we were fortunate" to express gratitude for a positive outcome. For example, "We were fortunate to have avoided any major setbacks during the project."

What can I say instead of "we were fortunate"?

You can use alternatives like "we were lucky", "we were privileged", or "we benefited greatly" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "we are fortunate" or "we were fortunate"?

Both are correct, but "we are fortunate" refers to the present, while "we were fortunate" refers to something that occurred in the past.

What is the difference between "we were fortunate" and "we were lucky"?

While similar, "we were fortunate" often implies a broader range of contributing factors to a positive outcome, whereas "we were lucky" suggests a greater element of chance.