stroke of good fortune

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stroke of good fortune" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unexpected and positive event or occurrence that brings luck or benefit. Example: "Winning the lottery was a stroke of good fortune that changed his life forever."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Flannery O'Connor, 'A Stroke of Good Fortune' 33.

The Guardian - Books

It seemed a fantastic stroke of good fortune.

The New Yorker

It was a stroke of good fortune for the monument.

The New York Times - Books

But then he had an extraordinary stroke of good fortune.

The New York Times - Arts

A call from a stranger six decades later proved to be another stroke of good fortune.

The Guardian

And in a stroke of good fortune, that is the topic for Friday.

The New York Times

Then he had a stroke of good fortune: he was shot in the head.

The New York Times

For City, however, this was a stroke of good fortune that invigorated a raucous crowd.

The Guardian - Sport

So I think when you get something like this, it's a stroke of good fortune".

The New York Times

Through a stroke of good fortune, he has a hand transplant.

The New York Times - Books

It was the greatest stroke of good fortune he had ever had in his life.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stroke of good fortune" to emphasize the unexpected and beneficial nature of an event. It is best suited for situations where luck played a significant role in a positive outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "stroke of good fortune" when the positive outcome is primarily due to skill, effort, or planning, rather than chance. Using it inappropriately can diminish the credit deserved by those who contributed to the success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stroke of good fortune" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an event or situation recognized for its unexpected and positive nature, which is supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stroke of good fortune" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression denoting an unexpectedly positive and lucky event. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Its usage is primarily found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. While various alternatives exist, such as "lucky break" or "fortunate event", "stroke of good fortune" effectively conveys the role of chance in bringing about a beneficial outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lucky break

Focuses on the sudden and unexpected nature of the luck.

fortunate event

Emphasizes the positive outcome and the element of chance.

piece of luck

Highlights the serendipitous nature of the occurrence.

happy accident

Suggests the positive event arose unexpectedly or unintentionally.

fluke

Implies the event was purely by chance and unlikely to be repeated.

windfall

Conveys a sudden and substantial gain or benefit.

godsend

Suggests the fortunate event was a divine intervention or blessing.

chance occurrence

Highlights the unplanned and random nature of the event.

serendipitous moment

Emphasizes the pleasant and unexpected nature of the discovery.

opportune moment

Focuses on the timing being ideal for a positive outcome.

FAQs

What does "stroke of good fortune" mean?

A "stroke of good fortune" refers to a sudden, unexpected, and beneficial event or occurrence. It implies that luck or chance played a significant role in the positive outcome.

How can I use "stroke of good fortune" in a sentence?

You might say, "Winning the competition was a real "stroke of good fortune", as it opened up many new opportunities."

What can I say instead of "stroke of good fortune"?

You can use alternatives like "lucky break", "fortunate event", or "piece of luck" depending on the context.

Is "stroke of good fortune" formal or informal?

"Stroke of good fortune" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, alternatives like "fortunate turn of events" might be preferred.