what a lucky

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what a lucky" is not correct in written English as it is incomplete.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express surprise or admiration about someone's good fortune, but it typically needs to be followed by a noun. Example: "What a lucky person you are to have won the lottery!"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Why, what a lucky day.

The New York Times

What a lucky man.

The Guardian

What a lucky break.

The Guardian - Sport

What a lucky spectator.

The New York Times - Sports

What a lucky, lucky group that is.

The Guardian - Sport

What a lucky coincidence for the Bruins.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

A sign overhead read "Are We Lucky, Or What!"—an Andrews motto.

The New Yorker

Book of the Week (R4) | iPlayer Free Thinking (R3) | iPlayer The Life Scientific (R4) | iPlayer The Media Show (R4) | iPlayer What a very lucky man is young actor Rhashan Stone.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

What a week Lucky and I had! Started out with a discussion with Mad Men's John Slattery, LOVE the show, nothing better than cuddling with Lucky and dreaming of being back in the 60's when high-powered men wore fitted suits (I guess some were already wearing bell bottom jeans by then).

Huffington Post

Perhaps that's what separates a lucky person from a luckless one.

The New Yorker

What a brilliant — if lucky — way to make a grand slam and win a world title.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always follow the phrase "what a lucky" with a noun to complete the meaning and make the sentence grammatically correct. For example: "What a lucky person!"

Common error

Avoid using "what a lucky" without specifying who or what is lucky. The phrase requires a noun to clarify the subject of the good fortune, such as "What a lucky day", otherwise it remains an incomplete thought.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what a lucky" primarily functions as an exclamatory expression. It is used to express admiration, envy, or surprise regarding someone's good fortune. As Ludwig AI clarifies, this phrase needs a noun to complete its meaning and be grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what a lucky" is an exclamatory phrase used to express admiration or envy for someone's good fortune. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically incomplete without a noun. It is commonly found in news and media sources and maintains a neutral register. To ensure correct usage, always follow the phrase with a noun, such as "What a lucky day!" or "What a lucky person!". Alternatives include "how fortunate" or "what good fortune".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how fortunate

Expresses good fortune directly, similar to "what a lucky", but uses an alternative adjective.

how blessed

Implies a divine favor or blessing, akin to being lucky.

what good fortune

Emphasizes the positive outcome or event that has occurred.

that was a stroke of luck

Highlights a specific instance of luck or chance.

what a break

Focuses on a favorable opportunity or turning point.

how auspicious

Indicates a promising or favorable sign.

how charmed

Suggests a state of being protected or favored by luck.

as luck would have it

Emphasizes the role of chance or fate in an event.

what a serendipitous occasion

Highlights the accidental or fortunate nature of an event.

fortune smiles on

Suggests that someone is being favored by fate or luck.

FAQs

How can I use "what a lucky" in a sentence?

To use "what a lucky" correctly, follow it with a noun that specifies who or what is experiencing good fortune. For example: "What a lucky find!" or "What a lucky coincidence!"

What phrases are similar to "what a lucky"?

Similar phrases include "how fortunate", "how blessed", or "what good fortune". These alternatives also express admiration for someone's good luck or favorable circumstances.

Is "what a lucky" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig, the phrase "what a lucky" is not correct in written English as it is incomplete. It should be followed by a noun to be grammatically correct.

What's the difference between "what a lucky day" and "what a lucky person"?

"What a lucky day" refers to a day filled with fortunate events or circumstances, while "what a lucky person" refers to someone who consistently experiences good fortune or favorable outcomes.