lack of luck

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lack of luck" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it any time you need to express that someone has not had good fortune. For example, "Despite his best efforts, John was unable to pass his exams due to a lack of luck."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Of course, it wasn't only a "lack of luck," as Veh gamely argued, that has plunged the Swabians to the bottom of the table.

The Guardian - Sport

It's not the same now they can't all rile Jon about being a bastard and mock Sam's lack of luck with the ladies.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

One of the few guests who bought raffle tickets and had no regrets at their lack of luck was Mr. Bobst.

The New York Times

United were frustrated by a lack of luck and - possibly - sharpness in front of goal, but this was a good fighting response from Van Gaal and his team.

Independent

Thanks to this lack of luck with mobiles, two new phones unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas drew me like filings to a magnet.

Independent

Dunne and Hill have forged reputations as two of the straighter talkers in the QPR dressing room but both cited a lack of luck to explain an abysmal away record.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

My lack of flying luck is a continuing joke.

The New York Times

They didn't fail for lack of good luck.

The New York Times

Reason for loss: Hot goalie and an overall lack of puck luck.

The Washington Post

Unlike many rookie quarterbacks, whether through design or lack of talent, Luck rarely has a running back as a checkdown option.

The New York Times

Perhaps the most maddening part of this futility from the fan's perspective is how many different ways the Capitals have been bounced from the playoffs, ranging from a simple (but still cruel) lack of puck luck to being outworked and outplayed by a bitter rival — the cause of death in this most recent season.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing reasons for failure or setbacks, use "lack of luck" to acknowledge the role of chance or unforeseen circumstances without diminishing the importance of effort or skill.

Common error

Avoid overusing "lack of luck" as a blanket explanation for negative outcomes. While chance plays a role, consider other contributing factors such as skill, preparation, and strategy for a more balanced analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of luck" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence to describe a deficiency in good fortune. It is grammatically correct, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lack of luck" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to attribute negative outcomes to chance or unforeseen circumstances. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid and usable in written English. It appears frequently in News & Media sources. When writing, consider the neutral register and use synonyms such as "absence of fortune" for a more formal tone. While "lack of luck" can explain events, avoid overusing it and consider other factors. You can say that the "team's loss was attributed to a "lack of luck"", but it is probably a good idea to check if other factors impacted the event to have a well-rounded and non-generic explanation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bad luck

A more direct and common synonym for "lack of luck", emphasizing the presence of negative chance.

absence of fortune

Replaces "luck" with "fortune", maintaining a formal tone but slightly altering the emphasis from chance to overall prosperity.

ill fortune

Similar to "misfortune", but with a slightly more archaic or literary feel.

misfortune

Shifts the focus to the negative outcome resulting from a "lack of luck", highlighting the adverse circumstances.

unlucky streak

Similar to "a run of bad luck", but more concise and informal.

a run of bad luck

Implies a prolonged period of unfavorable events, suggesting a temporal aspect to the "lack of luck".

tough break

An idiomatic expression indicating a disappointing or unfair outcome due to "lack of luck".

unfavorable circumstances

Expands the concept to include broader situational factors beyond just chance, suggesting external hindrances.

hard luck

A sympathetic expression used to acknowledge someone's misfortune.

adverse conditions

Similar to "unfavorable circumstances", highlighting the challenging or difficult environment.

FAQs

How can I use "lack of luck" in a sentence?

You can use "lack of luck" to explain why something didn't go as planned, such as, "The team's loss was attributed to a "lack of luck" and several unfortunate penalties".

What's a more formal way to say "lack of luck"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "absence of fortune" or "unfavorable circumstances" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to blame everything on a "lack of luck"?

While "lack of luck" can contribute to outcomes, it's best to also consider other factors such as skill, preparation, and effort for a well-rounded explanation.

What are some common synonyms for "lack of luck"?

Some common synonyms include "bad luck", "misfortune", or "ill fortune", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.