by luck

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'by luck' is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to describe a fortunate or unexpected happening. For example, "Thanks to a bit of luck, I managed to find my lost keys."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

by luck.

The New Yorker

By luck, he was not crushed.

The New Yorker

By luck, we chose our moment well.

Independent

By luck, he was saved.

The New York Times - Books

So maybe it was just by luck.

The Guardian

I'm alive now only by luck".

The New York Times

The transformation did not happen by luck.

The New York Times - Sports

"We didn't just arrive here by luck".

The Guardian

By luck and by pluck, we were fine.

The New York Times - Travel

"We gained one minute by luck," Mr. Osório said.

The New York Times

"I think you don't win the championship by luck.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by luck" to indicate that an event occurred due to chance rather than planning or skill. For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "through good fortune".

Common error

Avoid using "by luck" to downplay effort or skill when they were significant factors. Acknowledge the role of hard work alongside chance when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by luck" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb or clause to indicate that an action or event occurred due to chance or fortune. As confirmed by Ludwig, it expresses the manner in which something happened, specifically through luck.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by luck" is a very common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to indicate that an event occurred due to chance or fortune. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted in written English. While suitable for various contexts, it is most frequently found in news and media. Remember to use it accurately, acknowledging the interplay between luck and other factors like effort or skill. For a more formal tone, alternatives such as "through good fortune" may be preferred. Be mindful of overusing the phrase to downplay actual effort involved. It is important to remember that this phrase is most appropriate to use when wishing to express the component of randomness in a situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

through good fortune

Replaces "luck" with "good fortune", emphasizing the positive aspect of chance.

by chance

A more neutral alternative, focusing on the unplanned nature of the event.

as luck would have it

An idiomatic alternative, implying a fortunate coincidence.

by a stroke of luck

Emphasizes the sudden and unexpected nature of the good fortune.

fortunately

A single-word adverb emphasizing the positive outcome due to luck.

through a fluke

Suggests an accidental or improbable success.

by a happy accident

Highlights the accidental and beneficial nature of the event.

through serendipity

Suggests discovering something fortunate while not looking for it.

coincidentally

Focuses on the event happening at the same time by chance.

in a fortunate manner

A more formal way of saying "by luck", emphasizing the positive outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "by luck" to indicate that something happened due to chance. For example, "By luck, I found a parking spot downtown."

What phrases are similar to "by luck"?

Alternatives to "by luck" include "by chance", "fortunately", and "through good fortune", offering similar meanings with slight variations in formality.

Is it appropriate to start a sentence with "by luck"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct and stylistically acceptable to start a sentence with "by luck", especially to emphasize the role of chance in the event being described. For example, "By luck, we arrived just before the rain started."

What's the difference between "by luck" and "by design"?

"By luck" indicates that something happened due to chance, while "by design" means it was planned or intentional. They are antonyms representing opposite causes.