we were very fortunate

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "We were very fortunate" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used any time to express that the speaker/writer had a positive and lucky experience. For example: "We were very fortunate to be able to find a flight to see my family for Thanksgiving despite the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

We were very fortunate today".

The New York Times - Sports

"We were very fortunate," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"We were very fortunate to come out the way we did.

The New York Times - Sports

"We were very fortunate to win the game," Florida Coach Billy Donovan said.

The New York Times - Sports

"We were very fortunate," Ms. Bier said in a telephone interview from Copenhagen.

The New York Times

We were very fortunate -- the goat wound up being a real star.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We were very fortunate downtown is still standing," Ms. Nugent said.

The New York Times

"We were very fortunate that our sister brands here were open to the idea".

The New York Times

First of all, we were very fortunate in the United States from 1995-2003.

The New York Times

"We were very fortunate to come out with a victory," Florida State Coach Leonard Hamilton said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I thought we were very fortunate," Yankees Manager Joe Torre said about not facing Hudson this season.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were very fortunate", consider specifying the reason for your fortune to provide context and clarity. For example: "We were very fortunate to find such a skilled surgeon."

Common error

Avoid using "we were very fortunate" to mean that you had a lot of material possessions or money. "Fortunate" implies luck or chance, not necessarily wealth. Instead, use phrases like "we were wealthy" or "we were affluent" if you mean financially well-off.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were very fortunate" functions as a declarative statement expressing a feeling of luck or good fortune regarding a past event or situation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and appropriate for expressing a positive and lucky experience. This can be seen in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

14%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were very fortunate" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey a feeling of luck, gratitude, or relief about a past event. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness in written English for expressing positive and lucky experiences. While versatile enough for both formal and informal settings, it's most frequently encountered in news and media. Keep in mind that "fortunate" implies an element of luck or chance, and should not be used solely to describe financial wealth. Consider alternatives like "we were incredibly fortunate" or "we benefited greatly" depending on the specific nuance you wish to express.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were incredibly fortunate

Uses a stronger intensifier ('incredibly') to emphasize the degree of good fortune.

we were really fortunate

Uses a more informal intensifier ('really') to express the sentiment.

we were extremely lucky

Replaces 'fortunate' with 'lucky', another term for good luck, changing the tone slightly.

we were very lucky

Replaces 'fortunate' with 'lucky', while maintaining the same level of intensity.

we were very blessed

Substitutes 'fortunate' with 'blessed', implying a sense of divine favor or gratitude.

we benefited greatly

Focuses on the positive outcome or advantage gained, rather than the element of chance.

we were in a favorable position

Shifts the focus to the advantageous situation or circumstance experienced.

we had a stroke of luck

Emphasizes the sudden and unexpected nature of the good fortune.

we caught a break

Uses a more informal and colloquial expression for experiencing good fortune.

we had good fortune

Reorders the words slightly and removes the intensifier, resulting in a more understated expression.

FAQs

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

Use "we were very fortunate" to express gratitude or acknowledge a positive outcome that was aided by luck or favorable circumstances. For instance, "We were very fortunate to avoid the traffic jam" expresses relief and acknowledgement of a lucky escape.

What's a more formal way to say "we were very fortunate"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "we were incredibly fortunate" or "we benefited greatly". These options maintain a sense of gratitude while sounding more polished.

Is it correct to use "fortunate" to describe a financial situation?

While "fortunate" can sometimes imply financial well-being, it's more accurate to use it when acknowledging luck or chance. If you specifically mean financial success, consider alternatives like "we were wealthy" or "we were prosperous".

What can I say instead of "we were very fortunate" to express gratitude?

To emphasize gratitude, you could say "we were very blessed" or "we are very thankful". These alternatives convey a deeper sense of appreciation.