much luck with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "much luck with" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward to some readers.
It can be used informally to wish someone good fortune in a specific endeavor, but it is better to use more conventional expressions. Example: "I hope you have much luck with your new project."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Rowan didn't have much luck with his original material.

The New Yorker

But Mr. Hall hasn't had much luck with it.

The New York Times

He also didn't have much luck with girls.

The New Yorker

He was not having too much luck with that, either.

The New York Times - Sports

He said he hasn't had much luck with women.

The New York Times - Style

"Accidental Death of an Anarchist" hasn't had that much luck with American audiences.

The New York Times

Poor old Olivia Colman doesn't have much luck with on-screen husbands, does she?

Independent

I'm 51 years old, looking for a boyfriend and not having much luck with that.

The New York Times

But again, few people thought he would have this much luck with Chrysler's turnaround plan, either.

The New York Times

Neither side is having much luck with their shooting so far.

The Guardian - Sport

I haven't had much luck with recent culinary forays in New Orleans.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "much luck with", ensure the context clearly specifies the area where you're wishing someone good fortune. For example, "I hope you have much luck with the presentation."

Common error

In formal writing, "much luck with" can sound slightly informal. Opt for more conventional expressions such as "I wish you success in" or "I hope you achieve your goals in" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "much luck with" functions as an idiomatic expression used to convey good wishes or hopes for someone's success in a specific undertaking. It's often used similarly to phrases like "good luck with" or "best of luck with", as Ludwig suggests.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The expression "much luck with" is a phrase used to convey well wishes and hope for someone's success in a given situation. While grammatically sound, Ludwig indicates it might sound slightly awkward compared to its more common counterparts, "good luck with" or "best of luck with". Predominantly found in News & Media sources, this phrase serves to express support and encouragement. It's best used in neutral to informal settings; more formal situations might benefit from alternatives like "I wish you success in". Therefore, while "much luck with" is acceptable, being mindful of context and audience ensures clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

best of luck with

Replaces "much" with "best of", offering a more common and idiomatic expression.

good luck with

Simplifies the phrase to a more direct and universally understood expression of good wishes.

all the best with

Offers a general expression of goodwill and positive expectations.

hope it goes well with

Shifts the focus to the outcome, expressing a desire for a positive result.

wish you success with

Formally expresses a desire for the recipient's triumph in a given task.

fingers crossed for

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey hope for a favorable outcome.

may fortune smile on

Employs a more poetic and less common expression of hoping for good fortune.

hope you prosper in

Suggests a hope for flourishing or thriving in the specified activity.

hope you fare well with

Indicates a wish for positive progress and handling of the matter at hand.

hope things turn out well with

Focuses on a positive resolution or conclusion to the given situation.

FAQs

What's a more common way to say "much luck with"?

Alternatives to "much luck with" include the common phrases "good luck with" or "best of luck with", which are more frequently used in everyday conversation and writing.

Is "much luck with" grammatically incorrect?

While not strictly incorrect, "much luck with" is less common than other similar phrases. Ludwig indicates it's acceptable but not the most conventional choice.

How can I use "much luck with" in a sentence?

You can use "much luck with" to express your hopes for someone's success in a particular endeavor, such as: "I hope you have "much luck with" your job interview." However, consider more common alternatives for better clarity.

What's the difference between "much luck with" and "good luck with"?

"Much luck with" and "good luck with" are similar in meaning, but the latter is more frequently used and generally preferred in most contexts. The former can sound slightly awkward.