have luck

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have luck" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used when wishing someone good luck or when expressing hope that someone will be lucky in a situation. Example: "I hope you have luck on your job interview today!" or "We will need to have luck on our side if we want to win the game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You need to have luck.

Independent

Nevertheless I did have luck.

The Guardian - Books

You had to have luck and intuition.

The New York Times - Magazine

We have luck on our side.

The Guardian - Sport

"I think some people have luck," Rodriguez said.

The New Yorker

"Obviously, you have luck or good fortune or bad fortune.

The New York Times - Sports

Not that it isn't nice to have luck.

The New Yorker

It is only that he could not have luck on Postponed.

Independent

"I don't know, I like backgammon, games that have luck and skill involved.

The New York Times

The Yankees, almost defying logic, continue to do well, and perhaps have luck on their side.

The New York Times - Sports

"You have to have luck, but you also have to have judgment, discernment.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have luck", consider specifying the area where you hope for good fortune. For instance, "I hope you have luck with your new job" provides more context than simply, "I hope you have luck".

Common error

Avoid over-relying on "have luck" as a substitute for preparation or skill. While luck can play a role, success often depends more on effort and competence. Don't assume that simply wishing to "have luck" will suffice without adequate preparation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have luck" primarily functions as a verb phrase expressing a desire for good fortune or acknowledging the role of chance in an outcome. As Ludwig AI points out, it's used when expressing hope that someone will be lucky in a specific situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

24%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have luck" is a versatile and commonly used expression to convey good wishes and acknowledge the influence of chance. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness and broad applicability make it suitable for various contexts, though formality should be considered. While highly frequent in News & Media, Academia, and Wiki sources, the most authoritative sources using the expression are The New York Times, The Guardian, and BBC. When using "have luck", specifying the context can enhance clarity, and over-reliance on luck should be avoided in place of adequate preparation. Furthermore, alternatives such as "be fortunate" or "meet with success" offer more formal options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Be in luck

Indicates that someone is currently in a favorable situation due to chance.

Have a stroke of luck

Refers to a sudden, unexpected instance of good fortune.

Be fortunate

Focuses on the state of being lucky or blessed with good fortune.

Enjoy good fortune

Emphasizes the positive experience of having luck.

Have lady luck smile on

Personifies luck as a benevolent force bestowing favor.

Meet with success

Highlights the successful outcome resulting from luck or favorable circumstances.

Find success

Suggests discovering or achieving success, which may involve luck.

Be blessed

Implies receiving divine favor or luck from a higher power.

Be touched by fortune

Suggests that someone's life has been positively influenced by luck or fate.

Enjoy a charmed life

Describes a life consistently blessed with good luck and favorable events.

FAQs

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

You can use "have luck" to express a wish for someone's success or good fortune, as in "I hope you "have luck" on your exam" or "We need to "have luck" to win this game".

What's a more formal alternative to "have luck"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "meet with success" or "enjoy good fortune" instead of ""have luck"".

Is it correct to say "has luck" instead of "have luck"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "has luck" with singular subjects (e.g. "He has luck") and "have luck" with plural subjects (e.g. "They have luck").

What's the difference between ""have luck"" and "be lucky"?

"Have luck" typically refers to wishing someone good fortune or acknowledging that luck is a factor in a situation. "Be lucky" describes a state of consistently experiencing good fortune.