piece of luck

USAGE SUMMARY

"piece of luck" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to suggest that something happened as a result of luck or chance. Example: "I was able to find a parking spot right in front of the store - it was a real piece of luck!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So … that was a piece of luck".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"It was just an amazing piece of luck".

The New York Times

Berge said, "You've had a huge piece of luck.

The New Yorker

Thatcher was sustained only by one extraordinary piece of luck.

The Guardian - Opinion

AROUND this time, Ms. Aguilar had another piece of luck.

The New York Times

But that in and of itself is a piece of luck.

The New Yorker

Matilda's major piece of luck was to have produced an acceptable heir.

The New York Times - Books

His recent victory is at least one piece of luck to have come the carmakers' way.

The Economist

The battle began with a probe – and a bad piece of luck for the Union forces.

The New York Times

It's hard to imagine a shittier piece of luck befalling such a wonderful artist".

The New Yorker

("Forty years in the business and I've never had a piece of luck like this").

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "piece of luck" to describe a single, specific instance of good fortune, rather than a general state of being lucky.

Common error

Avoid saying "a luck"—luck is generally uncountable. Use "a piece of luck" to refer to a specific instance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "piece of luck" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes a specific instance or occurrence of good fortune. Ludwig AI validates this usage, showing numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Books

25%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "piece of luck" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a specific instance of good fortune. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its widespread use across various contexts, particularly in news and media, books, and sports. The phrase has a neutral register, suitable for both formal and informal settings. When aiming for variety in your writing, consider alternatives like ""stroke of good fortune"" or ""lucky break"", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Avoid the incorrect usage of luck as a countable noun by opting for this phrase when referring to a specific occurrence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stroke of good fortune

Emphasizes the unexpected and beneficial nature of the luck.

bit of good fortune

A more descriptive alternative which underscores the positivity.

fortunate event

Highlights the positive outcome of the lucky occurrence.

lucky break

Suggests a sudden and opportune moment of good luck.

happy accident

Focuses on the unplanned and beneficial aspect of the luck.

advantageous circumstance

Emphasizes the beneficial conditions or situation that arose by chance.

fluke

Implies that the luck was entirely accidental and unlikely.

serendipitous occasion

Highlights the fortunate discovery or finding by chance.

windfall

Suggests a sudden and unexpected gain or advantage.

break

A shorter, more informal way to describe a lucky opportunity.

FAQs

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

You can say, "Finding that rare book was a real piece of luck", or "It was a pure piece of luck that we arrived before the storm".

What's a formal alternative to "piece of luck"?

In formal contexts, consider using "stroke of good fortune" or "fortunate event".

Is "piece of luck" always positive?

Yes, "piece of luck" generally describes a positive event or situation. For a negative event, you might say "a "piece of bad luck"".

What's the difference between "piece of luck" and "lucky break"?

"Piece of luck" is a general term for good fortune, while "lucky break" often implies a specific opportunity or turning point.