"good luck" or "a good luck"
An author who is native English(American) writes in a book on English grammar:
Yebisu(brandname of beer), the legendary character, brings you a good luck.
I(the author) am always disappointed at this catchphrase.....
"a good luck" sounds very weird since "good luck" is not a thing but an abstract idea....
(sorry for my poor translation)
Is this catchphrase that weird?
I read so often the expression "I wish you a good luck"
If this is okay, why the other isn't?
Search from various English teachers...
Answers · 4
1
In England we simply say, "I wish you good luck."
You can say, "I wish you a lot of luck."
But you cannot say, "I wish you a good luck."
0
Saying "a good luck" sounds very strange since the particle "a" is kinda meant to mark something that is tangible or touchable like "a book" or " a shop" ect. Luck is an idea, you can't touch it so, for example, you would not say " I give you a good love" it would be " I give you love" Love is also an idea so to use "a" before it sounds strange depending on the situation.
0
Luck isn't a tangible physical object, so you can't precede it with the article "A".
0
In the USA, you simply would say "good luck." "A good luck" sounds awkward and incorrect, because luck isn't something you can measure, it isn't something physical. You would not say "a luck," nor would you say "a happiness."
I have personally never heard the expression "I wish you a good luck." Perhaps this is said in British areas, or the people who say this are simply incorrect.
:)
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