Cool MateFortunate vs We was lucky
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Fortunate
Top 3,000 (common)B2adjective
We was lucky
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: FortunateMost common: We was lucky
| Fortunate | We was lucky | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈfɔː.tʃən.ət//🇺🇸 //ˈfɔr.tʃən.ɪt// | 🇬🇧 //wi wəz ˈlʌki//🇺🇸 //wi wəz ˈlʌki// |
| Meaning | Having good luck or favorable circumstances | We were fortunate. |
| Example | She was fortunate to find such a wonderful job. | We was lucky to find parking right outside the venue. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | fortunate coincidence, fortunate opportunity, fortunate timing | was lucky enough, was especially lucky, was very lucky |
| Antonyms | unfortunate, unlucky | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'fortunate' with 'fortunate enough', which emphasizes the degree of good luck., Using 'fortunate' as a noun incorrectly., Overusing 'fortunate' instead of simpler synonyms like 'lucky' in casual contexts. | Using 'was' instead of 'were' with 'we'., Confusing past forms of 'be'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'fortunate' to describe people or situations that have good outcomes. Avoid using it in negative contexts. | Use 'was' for singular subjects and 'were' for plural subjects. 'We' is always plural, so use 'were'. This phrase is very casual and may be more appropriate in spoken English. |
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Frequently asked questions: Fortunate vs We was lucky
What's the difference between Fortunate and We was lucky?
Fortunate: Having good luck or favorable circumstances We was lucky: We were fortunate.
Which is more formal: Fortunate and We was lucky?
Fortunate is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Fortunate and We was lucky?
We was lucky is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Fortunate: She was fortunate to find such a wonderful job. We was lucky: We was lucky to find parking right outside the venue.
Can I use Fortunate and We was lucky interchangeably?
Not always. Fortunate and We was lucky are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.