but no luck

USAGE SUMMARY

"but no luck" is a perfectly valid phrase and can be used in written English.
For example, "I tried all of the solutions that I knew, but no luck."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But no luck.

The New York Times - Travel

The Times tried that too, but no luck.

The New York Times

This fall, I tried hot peppers, but no luck.

The New York Times

He looks through some scattered papers, but no luck.

The New Yorker

Years went by and they went on trying, but no luck.

The New Yorker

I searched through six volumes of letters and six volumes of diaries, but no luck.

The New Yorker

Then they called the hospitals and the police, but no luck.

The New York Times

"I've got your credential here somewhere…" He looks through some scattered papers, but no luck.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

We asked around but had no luck.

The Guardian - Travel

She hired private detectives, but had no luck.

The New Yorker

I searched for my house keys, but with no luck.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but no luck" to concisely convey that an attempt or effort did not succeed. It is suitable for both informal and semi-formal contexts.

Common error

While "but no luck" is convenient, avoid using it repeatedly in close proximity within your writing. Vary your language by using alternatives like "however, without success" or "to no avail" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "but no luck" is as a conjunctional phrase that serves to introduce a contrasting outcome. It typically follows a statement of intention or effort, indicating that the desired result was not achieved. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Lifestyle

10%

Travel

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but no luck" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express a lack of success after an attempt. Ludwig's AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples of its usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it leans toward a neutral to slightly informal register, suggesting that more formal alternatives may be appropriate for certain professional or academic settings. When writing, remember to avoid overuse and consider varying your language to maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but to no avail

This alternative is a more formal and concise way of saying "but no luck".

but it was unsuccessful

This alternative is a more formal and direct way of stating that the attempt failed.

but it proved unsuccessful

This alternative uses a more formal tone to convey the lack of success.

however, without success

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the lack of success.

despite the effort, it failed

This alternative highlights the contrast between the effort made and the resulting failure.

yet, it didn't work

This alternative is simpler and more direct, focusing on the failure of the attempt.

however, the attempt was fruitless

This alternative emphasizes the lack of any positive outcome from the attempt.

though it was in vain

This alternative is more literary and emphasizes the futility of the effort.

yet, nothing came of it

This alternative emphasizes the lack of results or consequences from the effort.

unfortunately, it didn't pan out

This alternative is more conversational and expresses disappointment in the failure.

FAQs

How can I use "but no luck" in a sentence?

You can use "but no luck" to indicate that an attempt or effort did not succeed, as in "I tried to fix the computer, "but no luck"."

What are some alternatives to "but no luck"?

You can use alternatives such as "however, without success", "to no avail", or "unfortunately, it didn't pan out" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "but no luck" appropriate for formal writing?

While "but no luck" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "however, without success" or "to no avail" might be preferred in formal writing contexts.

What is the difference between "but no luck" and "but without success"?

"But no luck" is a more concise and slightly informal way of saying "but without success". Both phrases indicate a lack of positive outcome, but "but no luck" carries a more casual tone.