bad luck

USAGE SUMMARY

"bad luck" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to refer to when something has gone wrong due to chance, or as a way of expressing sympathy. For example, "He missed his flight due to bad luck."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bad luck?

The Economist

Really bad luck.

Yale University

It was bad luck".

The New York Times

"It's just bad luck".

The New Yorker

You had bad luck?

The New York Times - Arts

Except perhaps bad luck.

The New York Times - Health

Just bad luck".

The New York Times - Sports

Talk about bad luck.

The New York Times - Arts

Call it bad luck.

The New York Times

Bad luck on Italy.

The Economist

Bad luck hasn't helped.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bad luck" to express sympathy or acknowledge an unfortunate situation. For instance, you might say, "That's just bad luck," to someone who has experienced a setback.

Common error

While "bad luck" can explain unforeseen events, avoid using it as the only explanation for consistent failures. Consider underlying issues of skill, planning, or execution. Relying solely on "bad luck" can prevent constructive problem-solving.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bad luck" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It's used to denote the state of experiencing unfavorable events or outcomes due to chance. Ludwig examples show it acting as a subject, object, or complement in various sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bad luck" is a commonly used noun phrase to describe unfortunate events due to chance. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a grammatically correct phrase. It is versatile, appearing frequently in news and media, academia, and science, though its register leans towards neutral to informal. While useful for expressing sympathy or explaining negative outcomes, remember that over-reliance on "bad luck" as an explanation can hinder problem-solving. Consider using more formal alternatives like "unfortunate circumstance" in professional settings. The phrase is widely understood and accepted in various contexts, making it a practical addition to your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rotten luck

Substitutes "bad" with "rotten" to intensify the negativity of the luck.

ill fortune

Similar to "misfortune" but with a slightly archaic or literary feel.

misfortune

A formal synonym, highlighting the adverse nature of the event.

tough break

Replaces "luck" with "break", implying an unfortunate event or situation.

unlucky streak

Refers to a period of continuous misfortune or bad events.

hard cheese

An idiomatic expression, mainly British, signifying misfortune or regret.

unfavorable outcome

Emphasizes the result of the situation being negative or undesirable.

unfortunate circumstance

Uses a more formal tone to describe a situation resulting in negative outcomes.

tough situation

Focuses on the difficulty of the situation rather than attributing it to chance.

bummer

A more casual and informal way to express disappointment over a negative outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "bad luck" to express sympathy or acknowledge an unfortunate situation. For example, you could say, "It's just "bad luck" that the flight was delayed".

What are some alternatives to saying "bad luck"?

Instead of saying "bad luck", you could use phrases like "tough break", "that's a shame", or "unfortunate" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to say "bad luck" in formal settings?

While "bad luck" is generally understood, it might be more suitable to use a more formal phrase like "unfortunate circumstance" or "unfavorable outcome" in formal or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "bad luck" and "misfortune"?

"Bad luck" is more informal and often refers to specific incidents of chance. "Misfortune" is a more formal and general term for adverse events or conditions.