a piece of good fortune

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a piece of good fortune" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It describes a fortunate event or circumstance. Example: Winning the lottery was a piece of good fortune that completely changed Mary's life.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

But Averil knows that her marriage is a piece of good fortune; lucky.

The New Yorker

But sitting on the world's second-largest deposits of platinum at a time when world prices are soaring would normally be counted a piece of good fortune.

The Economist

Hearts were contrastingly menacing and, even if they enjoyed a piece of good fortune with each of their goals, it could not be said to have been unwarranted.

The Guardian - Sport

Sam Allardyce, who became the fourth Sunderland manager running to beat Newcastle in his second game in charge after losing the first, said: "We've taken full advantage of a piece of good fortune.

Independent

But sometimes you need something like that to go your way – and there is no doubt this England team had a piece of good fortune when Zaheer hurt his hamstring.

Independent

I thought I had met an older and accomplished writer who liked me, for reasons that were opaque, but immensely pleasing, and that the development was a piece of good fortune.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

In June 1890, Kirkness received a letter from Thoms congratulating him on "a rare piece of good fortune" when a large order arrived from Liberty, a London department store popular with the then-fashionable Arts and Crafts movement.

The New York Times - Arts

It was, he winkingly reflects, a miraculous piece of good fortune: I remembered a Moscow writer who disliked me.

The New Yorker

"Murray Goodwin proved he is a too good a player not to make the most of such a good pitch and and winning the toss already looks like a significant piece of good fortune for Glamorgan".

BBC

He called his abbreviated service a "great piece of good fortune" when "the Army ran short of money".

The New York Times - Science

In between times Chelsea enjoyed a critical piece of good fortune when Petit was allowed to get away with tugging Cartwright's shirt in the penalty area when the Preston player threatened to turn past him.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a piece of good fortune" when you want to emphasize that a particular event or circumstance, rather than overall skill or planning, contributed to a positive outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "a piece of good fortune" to describe ongoing success or long-term achievements. It's best suited for specific, identifiable instances of luck.

Linguistic Context

Nominal phrase functioning as a noun adjunct. The phrase "a piece of good fortune" acts as a subject complement or appositive, further defining a noun or pronoun. Ludwig AI validates its appropriate use, aligning with various examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a piece of good fortune" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a specific instance of luck or a fortunate event, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, carrying a neutral register. Alternatives include phrases like ""a stroke of luck"" or ""a lucky break"". When writing, use this phrase to emphasize the role of chance in a positive outcome, avoiding its use for general or ongoing success. The sources show the phrase is used in various domains from general news to formal business documentation to refer to a limited good event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a piece of luck

This alternative is a shorter and slightly more informal way to express the same idea.

a stroke of luck

Emphasizes the sudden and unexpected nature of the good fortune.

a lucky break

Highlights a fortunate interruption or change in circumstances.

a windfall

Suggests a sudden and substantial gain, often financial.

a boon

Implies a benefit or advantage received.

a fortunate turn of events

Focuses on the positive outcome resulting from a series of events.

a serendipitous occurrence

Highlights the accidental and happy nature of the discovery or event.

an auspicious moment

Highlights the potential for future success associated with the event.

a godsend

Emphasizes the unexpected and highly beneficial nature of the event, as if divinely sent.

a happy accident

Highlights the unintentional nature of an event resulting in positive consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "a piece of good fortune" in a sentence?

You can use "a piece of good fortune" to describe a specific instance of luck or a fortunate event. For example: Getting that job was "a piece of good fortune".

What can I say instead of "a piece of good fortune"?

You can use alternatives like "a stroke of luck", "a lucky break", or "a windfall" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "piece of good fortune" without the article "a"?

While understandable, it is grammatically preferable and more common to include the article "a" before "piece", as in "a piece of good fortune".

What's the difference between "a piece of good fortune" and "good luck"?

"Good luck" is a general expression of hope for a positive outcome. "A piece of good fortune" refers to a specific fortunate event or circumstance. You might wish someone "good luck" before a test, but describe winning the lottery as "a piece of good fortune".