a lucky discovery

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lucky discovery" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an unexpected and fortunate finding or revelation. Example: "While exploring the old attic, I stumbled upon a box of vintage photographs; it was truly a lucky discovery."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

There are also many songs that reflect the spilling of such harmful secrets from what starts out as a seemingly lucky discovery, I'll bet on it.

The Guardian - Music

In "Democracy in America," he describes an incident that might be read as a darker version of the lucky discovery in Florida.

The New Yorker

Important to note is that rescreening did not lead to the lucky discovery of a single rare high efficiency version or even to a few variants that had incrementally higher efficiency, but in a single new selection run with reduced stringency, we obtained at least a dozen variants that were all nearly 10 times more efficient.

Biochemistry

The next lucky discovery was that a local biotech company had already developed and safety-tested a human antibody to target human CD117, but for treatment of inflammatory disease and not for bone marrow transplantation.

Stanford University

This is a follow-up to several previous items we ran recently (here, here and here) on a number of elections in Arkansas where the outcome was reversed after the lucky discovery of mistallies on the ES&S electronic voting system which failed widely in a number of counties during local primary elections there the week before last.

Huffington Post

One day I was walking in the mountains south of here and I had this lucky discovery.

The New York Times - Science

A year ago drug company Allergan's claim to fame was the lucky discovery that its Botox drug not only treated crossed eyes but also smoothed wrinkles.

Forbes

Scroll through the slideshow of other miraculous finds below and let us know what you think of Gonzalez's lucky discovery in the comments.

Huffington Post

Sometimes they can be filled by lucky discoveries or eureka moments in the archive, but more often they need to be shuffled off the page.

The Guardian - Books

Science was changing too, swinging away from relying on lucky discoveries, such as Alexander Fleming's miraculous recovery from illness after eating mould-infested bread, which led to the discovery of penicillin.

The Guardian

There's been downward pressure on jobs since the Industrial Revolution due to leaps in productivity brought about by human ingenuity and lucky discoveries.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a lucky discovery", ensure the context clearly indicates the element of chance or unexpected fortune that led to the finding.

Common error

Avoid using "a lucky discovery" when the finding was primarily the result of diligent research or skill, rather than chance. Use alternative phrasing to emphasize effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lucky discovery" functions as a noun phrase, where 'lucky' modifies 'discovery'. It describes a specific type of discovery characterized by fortune and chance. This aligns with Ludwig AI stating the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a lucky discovery" is a noun phrase used to describe a finding or revelation that occurs by chance or good fortune. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While the phrase itself is neutral in register, the specific tone is shaped by the context and source. Related phrases include "a fortunate find" and "a chance discovery". When using this phrase, ensure the context accurately reflects the element of chance involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fortunate find

Emphasizes the positive outcome of the discovery.

a serendipitous discovery

Highlights the accidental and beneficial nature of the discovery.

a chance discovery

Focuses on the element of randomness in the discovery.

a fortunate accident

Highlights the accidental and beneficial aspects.

an unexpected find

Stresses the surprise element of the discovery.

a providential discovery

Suggests the discovery was guided by fate or divine intervention.

a happy accident

Highlights the positive and unintended nature of the event.

a stroke of luck

Focuses on the role of luck in the discovery.

a windfall

Implies a sudden and unexpected gain or benefit.

an auspicious discovery

Emphasizes the promising and favorable nature of the discovery.

FAQs

How can I use "a lucky discovery" in a sentence?

You can use "a lucky discovery" to describe an unexpected and fortunate finding. For example, "The scientist's breakthrough was "a lucky discovery" that revolutionized the field."

What can I say instead of "a lucky discovery"?

You can use alternatives like "a fortunate find", "a chance discovery", or "a serendipitous discovery" depending on the context.

Is "a lucky discovery" formal or informal?

"A lucky discovery" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding language and the specific situation.

What makes a discovery "a lucky discovery" rather than just a discovery?

A discovery is considered ""a lucky discovery"" when it occurs by chance or good fortune, rather than through deliberate effort or planned investigation. It implies an element of unexpectedness and positive outcome.