"have luck that"

Status
Not open for further replies.

Lilienthala

New member
Joined
Jan 2, 2015
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
German
Home Country
Germany
Current Location
Germany
Hello, I came across an expression that sounds wrong to me: "I had luck that the doctors let me go."
I know this doesn't sound good and it would sound more natural to say "I was lucky..." Someone told me though that the first sentence was not technically wrong.
Could you tell me if this is wrong or possible?
Thank you!
 

bhaisahab

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 12, 2008
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
England
Current Location
Ireland
It's a bit unnatural. You are right "I was lucky (that)" is much better.
 

Lilienthala

New member
Joined
Jan 2, 2015
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
German
Home Country
Germany
Current Location
Germany
Thank you very much for this answer bhaisahab! Would you consider "I had luck that they let me go" downright WRONG or just not-so-elegant?
 

Tarheel

VIP Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2014
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
Thank you very much for this answer bhaisahab! Would you consider "I had luck that they let me go" downright WRONG or just not-so-elegant?

Follow B's advice and stick with "I was lucky they let me go." (It's genuine English.)
 

Rover_KE

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jun 20, 2010
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
England
Current Location
England
It's not colloquial. A native English speaker would not say it.
 

Lilienthala

New member
Joined
Jan 2, 2015
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
German
Home Country
Germany
Current Location
Germany
Thank you very much!
By the way, Tarheel, of course I would always stick with B's and your advice and use the natural and genuine form. :)
My question was rather if I should dare to correct that person using the other form - which as a non native speaker you should only do if you are certain that it is absolutely wrong. Well, ok, I will suggest that he change his sentence.
Thank you all.
 

Tdol

No Longer With Us (RIP)
Staff member
Joined
Nov 13, 2002
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
Japan
Thank you very much for this answer bhaisahab! Would you consider "I had luck that they let me go" downright WRONG or just not-so-elegant?

It's inelegant rather than downright wrong IMO. We do say I had the good fortune/luck to....
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top