ill luck

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ill luck" is correct and usable in written English.
It usually refers to a stretch of bad luck someone has experienced, or an event that has been received with misfortune. For example, "John's car has recently been broken into and he's been ill luck ever since."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

It was pure luck, or ill luck.

The New York Times - Sports

The custom was meant to rid the place annually of ill luck.

Encyclopedia Britannica

ILL LUCK FOLLOWED CAREER OF AIRSHIP; Wrenching From Mast in January , 1924 Gale, Disclosed Strain Amidship.

The New York Times

you have endured and performed many labours and withstood the buffetings of all the winds of ill luck.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When I remember so much hope I'm overcome, bitter, inconsolable, and rage against my own ill luck.

The New Yorker

"Then, by a stroke of ill luck, I lost it all…This, of course, is nothing extraordinary for Americans".

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

To Rwanda, as ill-luck would have it.

The Economist

But injury and ill-luck sent them spinning.

The Guardian - Sport

Palace's equaliser arose from the mixture of inattention and ill-luck that plague struggling sides.

The Guardian - Sport

Poverty and ill-luck abound, but the shape of this collection is essentially optimistic and energetic.

The Guardian - Books

Fortunately, jump racing's most powerful figures got around to giving Fehily the big-race opportunities his talent deserved, but even then ill-luck threatened to frustrate his hopes.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ill luck" to describe a general state of misfortune or specific instances of bad luck. It's often used when attributing negative outcomes to chance or fate.

Common error

Avoid using "ill luck" as a direct cause of events, as it implies chance rather than intentional action. Instead of saying "He had ill luck cast upon him", which implies a curse, use "He suffered from ill luck" to describe a state of misfortune.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ill luck" primarily functions as a noun, often serving as the subject or object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes a state or instance of misfortune. For example, "His ill luck continued throughout the year."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ill luck" is a common noun phrase used to describe a state or instance of misfortune. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and academic writing. While synonymous with "bad luck", it can sometimes carry a slightly more formal tone. When using "ill luck", ensure the context aligns with attributing negative outcomes to chance or fate, and avoid using it to describe intentional actions. Alternative phrases, such as "bad fortune" or "misfortune", can be used depending on the desired nuance. The prevalence and proper usage of "ill luck" make it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary for expressing adverse circumstances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bad fortune

Replaces "luck" with "fortune", a close synonym, maintaining the negative connotation.

misfortune

A more general term for bad luck or adverse events.

tough break

An informal idiom indicating a piece of bad luck or unfair treatment.

bad break

Similar to "tough break", this term implies an unfortunate event or setback.

unfavorable circumstances

A more formal phrase describing a difficult or disadvantageous situation.

adverse conditions

Similar to "unfavorable circumstances", emphasizes the challenging nature of the situation.

unfortunate incident

Highlights a specific event that caused the bad luck.

a run of bad luck

Indicates a period of continuous misfortune.

stroke of bad luck

Emphasizes the sudden and unexpected nature of the misfortune.

unhappy fate

Focuses on the predetermined and unavoidable nature of the bad luck.

FAQs

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

You can use "ill luck" to describe a general state of misfortune, as in "Despite his efforts, he was plagued by "ill luck"", or to refer to specific unfortunate events.

What are some alternatives to saying "ill luck"?

Alternatives include "bad fortune", "misfortune", or "tough break", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "ill luck" the same as "bad luck"?

"Ill luck" and "bad luck" are largely synonymous, both referring to unfavorable circumstances or misfortune. The choice between them often depends on stylistic preference.

Can "ill luck" be used to describe a person?

While you can say someone is experiencing "ill luck", it's more common to say they are unlucky or experiencing misfortune. Using "ill luck" to directly describe a person can sound awkward.