Cool MateGood luck vs Good luck with that
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Good luck
Top 1,000 (very common)
Good luck with that
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: Good luckMost common: Good luck
| Good luck | Good luck with that | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɡʊd lʌk//🇺🇸 //ɡʊd lʌk// | 🇬🇧 //ɡʊd lʌk wɪð ðæt//🇺🇸 //ɡʊd lʌk wɪð ðæt// |
| Meaning | I hope you succeed or have a good outcome. | I hope things go well for you. |
| Example | I know you have a big presentation today, so good luck! | I heard you're starting a new job. Good luck with that! |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | wish good luck, send good luck, give good luck | wish someone luck, throw someone good luck, send luck |
| Antonyms | bad luck, misfortune, ill fortune, unluckiness | - |
| Common mistakes | Used inappropriately in formal situations., Confused with 'good lucking' which is incorrect. | Used inappropriately in serious contexts, Confused with 'best of luck' as a formal phrase, Misused as a direct command. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used to wish someone success. Suitable for various contexts but avoid in formal settings like job interviews. | Used to wish someone success, often sarcastically or lightheartedly. Not appropriate in serious situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Good luck vs Good luck with that
What's the difference between Good luck and Good luck with that?
Good luck: I hope you succeed or have a good outcome. Good luck with that: I hope things go well for you.
Which is more formal: Good luck and Good luck with that?
Good luck is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Good luck and Good luck with that?
Good luck is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Good luck: I know you have a big presentation today, so good luck! Good luck with that: I heard you're starting a new job. Good luck with that!
Can I use Good luck and Good luck with that interchangeably?
Not always. Good luck and Good luck with that are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.