Good luck

USAGE SUMMARY

"good luck" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrase used as an expression of good wishes before a person attempts something that will be difficult to accomplish. For example: "Good luck on your upcoming job interview!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I would like to wish Chris good luck and send all my best wishes for a quick recovery to Colin".

BBC

Good luck to all on your journey home and a happy reuniting with your families.

Duke University

For starters, making it as an artist or in the entertainment business requires talent, persistence, and hard work, with a measure of good luck thrown in--all the same elements of a successful scientific career.

Science Magazine

If you don't have the time or skills to do the painting yourself, paying a professional is generally a good investment for a quick sale at a fair price for your home.

Forbes

Mr President, I shall stop now but not without remarking that I believe this is the last time you will chairing the European Parliament before the presidential election comes and you move on to other higher things and may I wish you all the best of luck for a prosperous and successful New Year in 2002.

EU Parlament

Quick work and good luck cleared the way for the Polish tenor Piotr Beczala, one of today's best Lohengrins, to join what is now a first-rate cast that includes soprano Anja Harteros and mezzo-soprano Waltraud Meier.

Los Angeles Times

Place all your iPad travel apps on your home screen for quick access.

WikiHow

"Good luck on this special day my best all time partner in crimes," he posted on Instagram. .

BBC

Good luck, Jesse, and I speak for all of us when I say we look forward to seeing you on the celebrity reality TV circuit.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

So, on behalf of UNICEF, I thank you all, and send best wishes for a very successful conference.

Unicef

Next year 70,000 six-packs will go on sale worldwide).Pour reputationAs well as having a good claim to brew the best beer in the world, Belgium is also home to the world's biggest brewer.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Good luck" when you want to express sincere wishes for someone's success, especially when facing a challenge or important event. It conveys support and encouragement.

Common error

While "Good luck" is perfectly acceptable in most contexts, consider more formal alternatives like "I wish you success" or "All the best" in highly formal or professional communications to maintain a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

"Good luck" functions as an interjection or expression of goodwill. It's used to convey positive wishes to someone facing a challenge or undertaking a task. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Good luck" is a ubiquitous and versatile expression used to convey well wishes and support. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound phrase suitable for various contexts, though it is more common in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business settings. While its informal tone makes it appropriate for general use, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives like "I wish you success" in professional communications. Related phrases such as "best of luck" and "all the best" offer similar sentiments, while idioms like "break a leg" add a touch of color to specific situations. Remember, the essence of "Good luck" lies in its ability to inspire confidence and hope.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Best of luck

A very close synonym, often used interchangeably with "Good luck".

All the best

A general expression of goodwill, applicable in various situations.

I wish you well

A more formal way of expressing good wishes.

Break a leg

An idiom often used in the performing arts to wish someone good fortune.

Hope it goes well

Expresses a desire for a positive outcome.

Fingers crossed

Indicates hope for a favorable result.

Knock 'em dead

An informal way to encourage someone to perform exceptionally well.

Godspeed

An archaic expression wishing someone success or a safe journey.

Have a blast

Wishing someone to enjoy something to the fullest

May fortune smile upon you

A more poetic and elaborate expression of wishing good luck.

FAQs

How can I use "Good luck" in a sentence?

You can use "Good luck" as a standalone phrase to wish someone well, or incorporate it into a sentence like: "I wanted to say "good luck" on your presentation tomorrow!"

What are some alternatives to saying "Good luck"?

Instead of "Good luck", you could say "Best of luck", "All the best", or "I wish you well".

Is "Good luck" appropriate in professional settings?

"Good luck" is generally acceptable in most professional settings, but in very formal communications, alternatives like "I wish you success" or "sincere wishes for a positive outcome" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "Good luck" and "break a leg"?

"Good luck" is a general expression of good wishes, while "break a leg" is an idiom specifically used in the performing arts to wish someone success, often implying a great performance.