never lucky

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "never lucky" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone who consistently experiences bad luck or misfortune. Example: "He always seems to miss the bus; he's just never lucky." Alternative expressions include "unlucky," "cursed," and "doomed to fail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Maybe because he was never lucky enough to work under any.

The New Yorker

Your bond of love with Heather, Kaitlin, Nick and MacGregor is something many people are never lucky enough to have.

The New York Times

I played in the N.H.L. almost 13 years, and I was never lucky enough to be on a Stanley Cup winner, because during all the time I was in there, there were only three teams that won the Cup – Montreal, Philly and Boston.

The New York Times

A lazy man is never lucky.

Forbes

I was never lucky, old or homosexual enough to have gone to Trade at Turnmills.

Vice

Gause was never lucky enough to own a Subaru, but he would have seen the link to his protozoans.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

And he was never luckier than in the casting of Richard Gere in Paul Schrader's 1980 film, the extraordinarily good American Gigolo.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Reagan, always lucky, was never luckier than to be on hand when a Soviet leader decided to lift the pall of fear and lies from his empire, thus permitting its accumulated absurdities and contradictions to come into plain view and to shake it to pieces.

The New Yorker

He had never been lucky in love.

The Guardian

He's just never been lucky in love and all that.

Independent

And possibly one we may never be lucky enough to experience again.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "never lucky", ensure the context clarifies what specific kind of luck is absent. For example, specify "never lucky in love" or "never lucky with investments" to provide clarity.

Common error

Avoid repeatedly stating that you're "never lucky" as this can create a self-fulfilling prophecy. Instead, focus on proactive solutions and positive affirmations to change your mindset.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "never lucky" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a lack of fortune or consistent misfortune. It typically appears after a linking verb (e.g., is, seems, feels) to attribute this characteristic to a subject. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "never lucky" is a grammatically correct and commonly understood expression used to describe someone who consistently experiences bad luck or misfortune. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers several real-world examples. While not overly frequent, it appears primarily in news and media contexts. Alternative phrases, such as "consistently unfortunate" or "habitually ill-fated", can provide nuance depending on the desired tone and specific context. While expressing feelings of misfortune is natural, it's important to avoid letting the belief of being "never lucky" become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consistently unfortunate

Focuses on the continuous nature of the bad luck.

always jinxed

Implies a persistent curse or negative influence.

habitually ill-fated

Highlights a pattern of negative destiny or outcome.

perpetually star-crossed

Suggests a continuous run of bad luck, possibly with romantic implications.

doomed to misfortune

Emphasizes a pre-determined path of bad luck.

destined for bad luck

Indicates that someone's destiny involves a lot of bad luck.

cursed with misfortune

Implies that someone is affected by some kind of curse or hex.

plagued by bad luck

Highlights a state of consistent problems that arise due to bad luck.

unblessed

Conveys a lack of divine favor or protection.

jinxed from the start

Highlights that someone was never supposed to have any luck.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone is "never lucky"?

Saying someone is "never lucky" means they consistently experience misfortune or a lack of positive outcomes, regardless of their efforts or circumstances. It implies a pattern of bad luck in their life.

What can I say instead of "never lucky"?

You can use alternatives like "consistently unfortunate", "habitually ill-fated", or "doomed to misfortune" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I am never lucky"?

Yes, the phrase "I am never lucky" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express a personal experience of consistent bad luck or misfortune.

What's the difference between "never lucky" and "unlucky"?

"Never lucky" suggests a continuous pattern of bad luck, while "unlucky" can refer to a single instance or a general tendency. "Never lucky" implies a more pervasive and consistent lack of fortune.