a string of bad luck

USAGE SUMMARY

'a string of bad luck' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a long period of time in which a person experiences a number of bad events or circumstances. For example, "John had a string of bad luck over the past month - he got laid off from his job, his car broke down, and he got sick with the flu."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

This isn't just a string of bad luck.

The New York Times

Soon after, the Glavins hit a string of bad luck and left Ireland.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's been a string of bad luck for them, almost Kafkaesque bad luck".

The New York Times - Sports

Other than their economic woes, New Zealand shipyards have had a string of bad luck over the past few years.

The New York Times

Cesar talked about how a string of bad luck had led him to self-help, therapy, and prayer.

The New Yorker

The president pleaded for patience, saying that the United States had been dealt a string of bad luck but that the job market would recover in time.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

"I feel," he says, "like I've come out of a string of… oh my God, I've got to be careful what I say, but… a string of bad-luck movies.

Independent

A long string of bad luck follows, including a fight with a dog that breaks into Berard's house.

The New Yorker

And his older brother Jake said, "There have been a couple times where he takes a funny hit or goes down funny, and I'm like, 'Oh, jeez, be good, be all right,' just for the fact that the kid has had such a long string of bad luck".

The New York Times - Sports

This is more than an earthquake, more than a pearl added to what some may view in the mind's eye as a long string of bad luck.

Huffington Post

It was just a whole string of bad luck until I finally got so distracted by the physical changes I couldn't even speak properly anymore.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a string of bad luck", consider the context and audience. While appropriate for general conversation and news reporting, more formal or academic settings might benefit from alternatives like "a series of unfortunate events".

Common error

Avoid using "a string of bad luck" repeatedly in formal writing. Vary your language by incorporating alternatives like "a series of unfortunate events" or "a period of adversity" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a string of bad luck" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a string of bad luck" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a series of unfortunate events. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Primarily found in News & Media contexts, the phrase serves to explain or convey repeated misfortune. While generally neutral in register, consider using more formal alternatives in academic settings. Remember to avoid overusing the phrase in formal writing and vary your language by incorporating synonyms. This will prevent to be repetitive and guarantee better results.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a series of unfortunate events

This alternative is a more formal and literary way of expressing the same idea, often used in narrative contexts.

a run of misfortune

This phrase replaces "luck" with "misfortune", directly emphasizing the negative aspect of the situation.

a streak of bad fortune

Similar to the original, but replaces "luck" with "fortune", offering a slightly more elevated tone.

a period of adversity

This alternative focuses on the challenging and difficult nature of the events, rather than just bad luck.

a chapter of mishaps

This option is more suitable for describing smaller, less significant unfortunate incidents.

a concatenation of calamities

Emphasizes severe misfortune by using strong words like "concatenation" and "calamities."

an unending flow of failures

Replaces "luck" with "failures", and highlights the relentless nature of negative consequences.

hard times

This phrase describes a situation marked by difficulties, hardship, and suffering, emphasizing the challenges one faces.

a comedy of errors

Implies a series of mistakes or blunders that lead to unfortunate or humorous outcomes.

a set of problems

Replaces any association of luck with the more objective "problems."

FAQs

What does it mean to have "a string of bad luck"?

Having "a string of bad luck" means experiencing a series of unfortunate or negative events occurring one after another.

How can I use "a string of bad luck" in a sentence?

You might say, "After losing his job and totaling his car, John experienced "a string of bad luck"."

What are some alternatives to saying "a string of bad luck"?

You can use alternatives like "a series of unfortunate events", "a run of misfortune", or "a streak of bad fortune".

Is there a difference between "a string of bad luck" and "a streak of bad luck"?

While both phrases refer to a period of misfortune, "a string of bad luck" often implies a longer or more varied sequence of unfortunate events than "a streak of bad luck", which suggests a continuous run of similar misfortunes.