not so lucky

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not so lucky" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe someone or something that has not found success or has encountered misfortune. For example, "I got the last slice of cake, but my brother was not so lucky."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not so lucky".

The New Yorker

Others are not so lucky.

The Guardian

Universities are not so lucky.

The Economist

Austen was not so lucky.

The New York Times - Books

Horatio was not so lucky.

The New York Times

Women are not so lucky.

The Economist

Others were not so lucky.

The New York Times

Most are not so lucky.

University of California, Berkeley

But her neighbors were not so lucky.

The New York Times

Most owners are not so lucky.

The New York Times - Sports

His car, however, was not so lucky.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not so lucky" to provide a contrast, highlighting that while one entity or person experienced a positive outcome, another did not.

Common error

Avoid using "not so lucky" without a clear point of comparison. Ensure the context makes it clear who or what is considered fortunate in contrast to the subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not so lucky" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase used predicatively. Ludwig examples show it often follows a contrasting statement, indicating a lack of fortune in comparison to someone or something else. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not so lucky" is a versatile adjectival phrase used to express a contrast in fortune, often to highlight a negative outcome compared to a more fortunate one. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and appears frequently in diverse sources, with a prevalence in News & Media. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While suitable for neutral register, its presence in academic and business publications confirms its wider acceptance. Consider alternatives like "less fortunate" or "out of luck" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had bad luck

Directly states that someone experienced negative fortune.

less fortunate

Focuses on the comparative lack of advantages or positive circumstances.

out of luck

Emphasizes a state of having no good fortune or chance.

unfortunate

Highlights the presence of bad luck or unfavorable conditions.

ill-fated

Suggests a destiny marked by misfortune or doom.

fated for misfortune

Similar to "ill-fated", implies a predetermined path of bad luck.

unsuccessful

Focuses on the lack of desired outcomes or achievements.

suffered misfortune

Highlights the experience of encountering adverse events or circumstances.

met with adversity

Emphasizes the encounter with challenging or difficult situations.

experienced hardship

Highlights the endurance of difficult or painful conditions.

FAQs

How can I use "not so lucky" in a sentence?

You can use "not so lucky" to show a contrast between someone or something that experienced good fortune and another that did not. For example, "She found a parking spot right away, but I was "not so lucky"."

What's a less common way to say "not so lucky"?

Alternatives to "not so lucky" include "less fortunate", "out of luck", or simply "unfortunate".

Is it grammatically correct to say "not so lucky"?

Yes, the phrase "not so lucky" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both spoken and written English.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "not so lucky"?

The phrase is appropriate when contrasting two or more subjects, where at least one experienced a positive outcome while the other experienced a negative one. It's also appropriate to use when describing the experience of "suffered misfortune".