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Prepositions with nouns

How to use prepositions with “luck”

Different prepositions with “luck” express success, difficulty, or encouragement.

Quick answer

Common patterns with “luck”

Use luck in for success in an activity, luck with for success involving a person or thing, and good luck on or with for encouragement. “Of luck” is uncommon except in set phrases such as “a stroke of luck.”

She had good luck in business.
We had no luck with the printer.
Good luck on your exam!

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
luck in + activity

Success in an area

Use this pattern for activities or fields.

He had little luck in finding work.
2
luck with + person/thing

Success involving something specific

Use “with” for interaction with people or objects.

I never have any luck with computers.
3
good luck on + event

Wishing success for an event

“On” is common before exams, trips, and projects.

Good luck on the presentation!
4
stroke of luck

Describing unexpected success

This fixed phrase means a lucky event.

Finding the tickets was a stroke of luck.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
luck in
She had luck in business.
success in an activity or field
luck with
He has no luck with interviews.
success involving a thing or situation
luck on
Good luck on your test.
encouragement before an event
luck for
Good luck for the future.
wishes concerning a future period
of luck
a bit of luck
quantity or type of luck, not a fixed pair

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using “of luck” as a direct pattern

English usually uses a larger phrase such as “a bit of luck.”

✕ She had of luck ✓ She had a bit of luck

Confusing “on” and “with”

“On” is common for events; “with” is common for objects or people.

✕ Good luck with your exam ✓ Good luck on your exam

Omitting “good” in wishes

A wish normally includes “good.”

✕ Luck on your trip ✓ Good luck on your trip

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. He has no luck ___ dating apps.
2. Good luck ___ your interview!
3. She had great luck ___ sales.

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Frequently asked questions

Is “luck with” correct?

Yes. It is common for situations involving people, tools, or tasks.

Can I say “good luck on your exam”?

Yes. This is a natural expression.

What does “stroke of luck” mean?

It means an unexpected lucky event.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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