it took luck

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it took luck" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that a certain outcome or success was achieved primarily due to chance rather than skill or effort. Example: "Winning the lottery was a surprise; it took luck more than anything else."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The second-guessers blared for more than 48 hours after he said he was staying, but it took Luck much less time to decide.

The New York Times - Sports

It took luck, patience, and many failed attempts to capture one #Orionid meteor near Topeka at 4 58am on 10/21/14.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It takes luck, magic, fate as well as the right horse.

The New York Times - Sports

By skillfully interleaving personal history, politics and Amhara fables, Mezlekia has created a remarkable account of what it takes (luck, among other things) to survive the complete shattering of civil society.

The New York Times - Books

It takes luck, perseverance, a high tolerance for uncertainty, and a real dedication to the science.

Science Magazine

It takes luck and timing, and you've got neither.

Huffington Post

"Yeah, but it takes luck, man," Roy says. .

Vice

If you hit him straight on, it'll kill him, but it takes luck.

WikiHow

Sometimes it takes luck to find a job, but you have to put yourself into the position to be lucky by putting in the legwork.

WikiHow

It would take luck and a remarkable performance from either party's leader to change that.

The Economist

Sometimes it also takes luck, and Kennedy, despite his stumble, knew that, too.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it took luck" to acknowledge the role of chance alongside effort or skill when describing an achievement. This adds humility and recognizes external factors.

Common error

Avoid solely attributing success to "it took luck" when skill and hard work also contributed significantly. A balanced view enhances credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it took luck" functions as a commentary or explanation, often following a statement of achievement or success. It acknowledges that chance or fortune played a significant role in the outcome, beyond skill or effort. Examples from Ludwig illustrate this usage, showing that Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it took luck" is a grammatically sound expression used to acknowledge the role of chance in achieving a specific outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. While not overly formal, the phrase appears in various contexts, including news, wikis, and scientific discussions, showing its versatility. Remember to use "it took luck" to balance recognition of skill with an acknowledgment of external factors, and consider alternatives like "fortune played a role" or "chance was involved" for subtle variations in meaning. Overemphasizing luck can diminish the value of effort, so strive for a balanced perspective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

luck was a factor

Emphasizes luck as one of the contributing elements.

fortune played a role

Highlights the influence of fortune, which is similar to luck.

chance was involved

Indicates the presence of randomness or unpredictability.

it was a matter of chance

Directly states that the outcome depended on chance.

success hinged on luck

Suggests that success was critically dependent on luck.

it depended on fortune

Similar to "it was a matter of chance", but uses the word "fortune".

luck had a hand in it

Implies that luck actively participated in the outcome.

it was pure luck

Emphasizes that the outcome was only due to luck.

coincidence played a part

Suggests that an unplanned event contributed to the outcome.

divine intervention occurred

Attributes the outcome to a higher power or fate.

FAQs

What does "it took luck" mean?

The phrase "it took luck" means that chance or good fortune played a significant role in achieving a particular outcome or success. It suggests that skill or effort alone were not sufficient, and external factors contributed to the result.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "it took luck"?

It's appropriate to use "it took luck" when you want to acknowledge that chance or good fortune contributed to a positive outcome, especially when skill or effort were also involved. It adds a layer of humility and realism to the description.

What can I say instead of "it took luck"?

You can use alternatives like "fortune played a role", "chance was involved", or "it was a matter of chance" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it took luck"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "it took luck". The phrase follows standard English grammar rules and is commonly used in both spoken and written language. Ludwig confirms this as well.