mere luck

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mere luck" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where success or a positive outcome is attributed solely to chance rather than skill or effort. Example: "Winning the lottery was just mere luck; I never expected to win anything."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

That couldn't have been mere luck.

The New York Times

It may have been mere luck that the CIA at last found its quarry on his watch.

The Economist

John Farrell, the Red Sox pitching coach, said Varitek's habit of coaxing no-hitters out of his battery mates was not mere luck.

The New York Times - Sports

He looks at times quite uncannily like a Holbein merchant, and I think this is not mere luck but his skill.

The Guardian

And was it mere luck that the last patient on the trial, who was discharged from hospital during the programme, and came into the studio, seemed to get the drug rather than placebo?

The Guardian

They say that according to where you happened to be, the neighborhood you lived in, your father's occupation, or even mere luck, you found yourself thrown on one side or the other.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Simple luck?

The Guardian

Then, within days, the whole thing disappeared from public view, chalked up — if to anything at all — to a streetwalker's fate, or to a criminal's devolution or to mere bad luck.

The New York Times

Thomas talks about the Knicks' record as if it were a product of mere bad luck.

The New York Times - Sports

The record of the Boeing board in picking chiefs prone to ethical lapses is too long to be dismissed as mere bad luck.

The Economist

The tragic early deaths of Ogden and Earl Brutus's irrepressible, Genesis-loving frontman Nick Sanderson take their story beyond mere bad luck.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mere luck", ensure the context clearly indicates that the success or outcome was primarily due to chance, rather than skill, effort, or planning.

Common error

Avoid using "mere luck" to downplay someone's accomplishments when skill or effort significantly contributed to the outcome. Reserve it for situations where chance was undeniably the primary factor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mere luck" functions as a qualifier, emphasizing that an event's occurrence is primarily or solely due to chance rather than skill, effort, or planning. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through its examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mere luck" is a phrase used to attribute an outcome primarily to chance rather than skill or effort. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in news and media contexts. When considering alternatives such as ""pure chance"" or ""sheer coincidence"", it's essential to consider the specific nuance you wish to convey. Avoid using "mere luck" in situations where skill plays a significant role to prevent undermining genuine achievements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pure chance

Focuses on the unlikelihood of the event occurring without external influence, highlighting randomness.

sheer coincidence

Emphasizes the accidental alignment of events, suggesting no deliberate cause or plan.

blind fate

Highlights the absence of reason or control in the outcome, attributing it to an unavoidable destiny.

fluke occurrence

Stresses the anomaly of the event, suggesting it is unlikely to be repeated or predictable.

fortunate accident

Combines the unexpected nature of an accident with the positive result of good fortune.

random happenstance

Highlights that the event happened casually and without any intention.

stroke of fortune

Emphasizes the favorable and unexpected nature of the outcome.

chance event

Underlines the absence of intention or causality in the event.

happy coincidence

Highlights the pleasant or beneficial nature of the coincidence.

serendipitous event

Highlights a fortunate accident. Suggests that the event happened coincidentally but with good results.

FAQs

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

You can use "mere luck" to express that something positive happened solely because of chance, like "Winning the raffle was "mere luck"; I didn't expect to win."

What are some alternatives to "mere luck"?

Alternatives include "pure chance", "sheer coincidence", or "blind fate depending" on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to attribute success to "mere luck"?

It is appropriate when the outcome genuinely resulted from chance, and not from skill or effort. Be mindful of potentially undermining someone's achievements if skill was involved.

What is the difference between "mere luck" and "good fortune"?

"Mere luck" emphasizes the role of chance, while "good fortune" implies a more positive or favorable destiny. Good fortune could encompass more than just random chance.