by bad luck

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by bad luck" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unfortunate situation or event that occurred due to chance or misfortune. Example: "I missed the bus by bad luck, as it arrived just a minute before I got to the stop."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sports

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"He was beaten by bad luck.

The New York Times - Sports

"Then we just got hit by bad luck.

The Guardian - Sport

Fiction about backwoods characters stung by bad luck.

The New York Times - Books

If he was crushed by bad luck, he refused to show it.

The New York Times - Sports

f the 26,000 or so American troops based in Okinawa feel cursed by bad luck.

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Redknapp's men were afflicted by bad luck, but they also exasperated themselves.

The Guardian - Sport

It is about a Polish-born man cursed by bad luck.

The New York Times - Arts

Some people's lives are almost unimaginably hard, stricken by bad luck.

The Guardian - Opinion

The low price Gordon Brown got for selling our gold wasn't caused by bad luck.

The Guardian

West Ham had felt their previous away results had been underpinned by bad luck.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Dr. Fujii was still pursued by bad luck, which still was connected with rivers.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by bad luck", ensure the context clearly indicates that the event was genuinely due to chance or misfortune, rather than poor planning or decision-making. Avoid overusing it as an excuse for preventable issues.

Common error

Avoid attributing all negative outcomes to "by bad luck". Over-reliance on this phrase can diminish personal responsibility and hinder problem-solving. Instead, analyze situations critically to identify controllable factors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by bad luck" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the reason for an action or state. It introduces the element of chance or misfortune as the cause, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by bad luck" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to attribute events to misfortune or chance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across diverse sources like news, sports, and literature. While it's a versatile phrase, avoid overusing it as an excuse and always ensure that the context genuinely warrants its use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

due to misfortune

Focuses on the unfortunate nature of the cause.

as a result of ill fortune

Emphasizes fate and the unfavorable outcome.

through adverse circumstances

Highlights the challenging situation leading to the outcome.

victim of circumstance

Implies the person was negatively impacted by the event.

through no fault of one's own

Underscores the lack of personal responsibility for the negative outcome.

owing to an unfortunate event

Highlights the event rather than luck itself.

because of a twist of fate

Highlights the role of fate.

as destiny would have it

Emphasizes the inevitable nature of the event.

cursed by fate

Conveys a sense of being doomed or hexed.

against all odds

Focuses on the improbability and difficulty of the situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "by bad luck" to explain an unfortunate event occurred due to chance or misfortune. For example, "The game was canceled "by bad luck", as the field was flooded unexpectedly."

What are some alternatives to "by bad luck"?

Alternatives include "due to misfortune", "as a result of ill fortune", or "victim of circumstance" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "due to bad luck" instead of "by bad luck"?

Yes, "due to bad luck" is also a correct and commonly used phrase that conveys a similar meaning.

What's the difference between "by bad luck" and "unfortunately"?

"By bad luck" specifically attributes an event to chance misfortune, while "unfortunately" simply expresses regret about an event without necessarily indicating the cause. "The project failed "by bad luck"" explains the reason. "Unfortunately, the project failed" just conveys sadness.