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I had bad luck vs I was unlucky

Both phrases are correct and can be used interchangeably to express the idea that something unfortunate happened to the speaker.
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Explained by Michele A.
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: February 16, 2025 • 6620 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express experiencing misfortune.

"I had bad luck"

This phrase is used to describe a situation where something unfortunate happened to the speaker, emphasizing the event or circumstance that led to the bad luck.

Examples:

  • I had bad luck with my car breaking down on the way to the airport.
  • She had bad luck in losing her wallet on the bus.
  • They had bad luck with the weather ruining their outdoor event.
  • He had bad luck in missing the last train home.
  • We had bad luck with the power outage during the important presentation.
  • “My problem was that I had bad luck. And I spoke up when I saw something wrong. I did it because I could, without having to worry about the fallout lasting years.
  • I used to think I had bad luck, but I wasn't superstitious. Till one day I grew suspicious, when I stepped on a crack on Aunt Edna's stoop. And got pooped on by a ...
  • I used to think I had bad luck, but I wasn't superstitious 'til one day I grew suspicious, when I stepped on a crack. On Aunt Edna's stoop and got pooped on by a ...
  • Mar 24, 2014 ... [Intro] "What is a nightmare? The dictionary tells us it is a terrifying dream, a nightmare" [Verse 1] I used to think I had bad luck, but I wasn't ...

Alternatives:

  • I experienced misfortune.
  • I encountered bad luck.
  • I faced unfortunate circumstances.
  • I had a stroke of bad luck.
  • I ran into bad luck.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to convey experiencing misfortune.

"I was unlucky"

This phrase is used to describe a personal experience of misfortune, highlighting the speaker's unfortunate situation or events that happened to them.

Examples:

  • I was unlucky to miss the bus by just a few seconds.
  • She was unlucky in not winning the raffle despite buying many tickets.
  • They were unlucky to have their flight canceled at the last minute.
  • He was unlucky to get food poisoning on his vacation.
  • We were unlucky to have our picnic ruined by sudden rain.
  • It exploded almost in our midst, and I was unlucky enough to get in the way of one of the shrapnel bullets. This was unlucky ; she must pass through that room to ...
  • adj. un·luck·i·er, un·luck·i·est. 1. Subjected to or marked by misfortune: unlucky at roulette; an unlucky day. 2. Resulting or likely to result in misfortune; ...
  • Unlucky Quotes. Prev; 1; 2 · Next. But there's no point in looking back and saying I was unlucky. Jamie Redknapp. Point, Saying, Looking ...
  • No, I was unlucky. Vous avez gagné? - Non, je n'ai pas eu de chance. He's so unlucky. Il n'a vraiment pas de chance. We were unlucky not to win. Nous avons ...

Alternatives:

  • I had a stroke of bad luck.
  • I faced unfortunate circumstances.
  • I encountered misfortune.
  • I had a run of bad luck.
  • I had a spell of bad luck.

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