a piece of luck

USAGE SUMMARY

'a piece of luck' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
Generally, 'a piece of luck' can be used to refer to something that unexpectedly resulted in good fortune. For example, "I got a job that I applied for, it was really just a piece of luck."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

So … that was a piece of luck".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But that in and of itself is a piece of luck.

The New Yorker

("Forty years in the business and I've never had a piece of luck like this").

The New York Times - Books

"This is not a piece of luck for me," Mr. McGinnis said.

The New York Times - Books

"All I wanted was a piece of luck in my life".

The New York Times

'Yes, you'd better go to the Kavanaghs.'" This was a piece of luck.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

At the end of the interviews, Professor Koh asked whether writing Roe v. Wade "was a piece of good luck or bad luck".

The New York Times

That Kertész has made it to his 80th year is worthy of remark; or perhaps it is only, as his narrator puts it here, "a piece of good luck only slightly more astounding than the accustomed bad luck".

The Guardian - Books

The Greek, as you would expect, uses a piece of bad luck to his advantage.

The Guardian

But a piece of bad luck may solve the family's insurance problem, at least for now.

The New York Times - Health

(It was a piece of bad luck for Fenby that "Spymaster," Frederic Wakeman's powerful and richly documented study of Chiang's secret police chief, Dai Li, came out just as Fenby's own book was going to press).

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing dialogue or informal content, using this phrase adds a touch of warmth and authenticity.

Common error

While appropriate in many contexts, avoid using "a piece of luck" repeatedly in a single text. Vary your language with synonyms like "a stroke of good fortune" or "a lucky break" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a piece of luck" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a specific instance or event characterized by fortunate circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Books

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a piece of luck" is a commonly used phrase to describe a specific instance of good fortune. As shown by Ludwig, it is considered grammatically correct and versatile enough for various contexts, ranging from news articles to books. To enhance your writing, consider alternatives such as "a stroke of good fortune" or "a lucky break" to avoid repetition and add nuance. A key writing tip is to not overuse the phrase in the same text. While the phrase is neutrally formal, it can come off as informal depending on the audience and purpose of the composition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A stroke of good fortune

Emphasizes the sudden and unexpected nature of the good luck.

A lucky break

Highlights the positive opportunity that arises from the good luck.

A favorable turn of events

Focuses on the positive change in circumstances due to luck.

A fortunate occurrence

Highlights that the event was fortunate.

A blessing in disguise

Implies the luck may have initially seemed negative but resulted in good.

A serendipitous event

Emphasizes the accidental and beneficial nature of the event.

An unexpected advantage

Focuses on the benefit gained unexpectedly.

A happy coincidence

Highlights the chance alignment of events that resulted in good fortune.

A providential moment

Suggests the luck was divinely ordained or guided.

A charmed life

Refers to a life consistently blessed with good fortune.

FAQs

How can I use "a piece of luck" in a sentence?

You can use "a piece of luck" to describe a specific instance where someone experiences good fortune. For example, "Finding that rare book at the flea market was "a piece of luck"."

What's a good alternative to "a piece of luck"?

Alternatives to "a piece of luck" include "a stroke of good fortune", "a lucky break", or "a fortunate occurrence". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a piece of good luck"?

Yes, "a piece of good luck" is grammatically correct and conveys a similar meaning to "a piece of luck". The presence of "good" emphasizes the positive nature of the luck.

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

"Good luck" is a general expression of hope for a positive outcome, while "a piece of luck" refers to a specific instance of fortunate circumstances. For example, you might say "Good luck on your exam", but "Finding a parking spot downtown was "a piece of luck"".