It’s important to wish people luck when you care about them. If something big is happening in their life, wishing them luck lets them know how much they mean to you.
But “good luck” might not be the best professional phrase to use here.
Luckily, you have options. This article will explore some alternative phrases showing you how to say “good luck” formally.
Is It Professional to Say “Good Luck”?
It is professional to say “good luck.” It’s a very common way to wish someone well when they’re about to do something big (like an exam or starting a new job).
It’s a good formal choice. Therefore, it works well in most email cases.
It’s also good to wish someone luck when you care about them. We certainly recommend it if you’re looking to build better relationships.
This example should help you understand more about it:
I want to say good luck with your exam. I’m certain you’ll find a way to ace it.
Pros
- It’s kind and shows you care.
- It’s a great phrase in both formal and informal cases.
Cons
- It’s quite generic and overused.
- It’s brief and snappy, which doesn’t always allow you to celebrate someone’s achievements.
Clearly, “good luck” is one of the best phrases to use in emails. However, it’s not the only one.
Therefore, we recommend exploring what to say instead of “good luck” to keep things interesting.
So, read on to learn how to wish someone good luck professionally. We’ve also provided email examples to help you further.
What to Say Instead of “Good Luck”
- Best of luck
- All the best
- I wish you success
- I hope luck is on your side
- May luck be in your favor
- Here’s to a prosperous journey ahead
- Wishing you the best of luck
- I hope everything goes smoothly
- Sending positive wishes your way
- May fortune smile upon you
1. Best of Luck
We’ll start with one of the simpler synonyms for “good luck.” You can write “best of luck” to share well wishes with the recipient.
It’s a great formal email closer. Most people use it before someone has to do something important (i.e., apply for a job or take an exam).
We recommend using it when emailing coworkers. It’s a great way to remain friendly in your formal farewell when using it as an email closer.
You can also refer to this sample email:
Dear Aimee,
I heard that your competition is coming up shortly. I’m very excited to see how you get on with it.
Best of luck,
Dean Watkins
2. All the Best
It sounds quite generic, but “all the best” is a great alternative to “good luck.” It works well as a professional email closer.
Also, since it’s slightly more generic, it allows it to be more versatile. You can use it when someone needs luck or just as a more basic way to say goodbye.
Whatever the case, “all the best” works well when emailing students. It shows you how to wish someone good luck without saying “good luck” (which keeps things interesting).
Here’s a great email example to help you understand it:
Dear Holly,
I know your exam is coming up. I’m just writing to let you know that I believe in you!
All the best,
Jon Whittaker
3. I Wish You Success
Another way to say “good luck” professionally is “I wish you success.” It’s a great formal closer that shows you believe in the recipient.
You can try to include it when emailing employees. It shows you support them and their choices.
Also, if you’re an employer, it’s a great way to boost your employee’s morale. It shows you’re behind them (especially if they’ve applied for a new job and you want to give them hope).
Perhaps this example will help you with it:
Dear Pete,
This is a big stepping stone for you. It’s going to make your future so much more interesting if you succeed.
I wish you success,
Emily Heritage
4. I Hope Luck Is on Your Side
You can write “I hope luck is on your side” instead of “good luck.” It’s a good formal email closer that shows you want to wish someone a good fortune.
Generally, this is another way to say “good luck” professionally. It shows that you’re happy to hear positive news about the recipient and want them to receive your good wishes.
We certainly recommend using it when emailing employees. It’s a great way to encourage them and let them know you have their back.
We also recommend reviewing the following email sample:
Dear Brooke,
I appreciate this is a difficult thing to do on your own. However, I know you’re the perfect person for the role.
I hope luck is on your side,
Sam Tarly
5. May Luck Be in Your Favor
“May luck be in your favor” is a fun and unique way to say “good luck.” Not many people will have used a phrase like this as an email sign-off. However, it’s still very helpful.
You should try it when emailing students. It’s a great way to sound more friendly when offering them luck for whatever they have coming their way.
Here’s a great email example to show you how it works:
Dear Alicia,
I want to wish you luck with your exam. I’m certain you’ll ace it, but let me know if you have questions before you start.
May luck be in your favor,
Tom Bryant
6. Here’s to a Prosperous Journey Ahead
It’s best to wish someone luck when they’re moving forward in life. Saying something like “here’s to a prosperous journey ahead” is a great formal way to tackle this.
It shows you want someone to succeed with whatever comes next.
For instance, you can use it when emailing a colleague who’s looking to change their career. It shows you support them and want them to do well in their new role.
Check out this example as well:
Dear Charlotte,
Good luck with your test. It’s the first major step towards starting the career you’ve always wanted.
Here’s to a prosperous journey ahead,
Dan Cole
7. Wishing You the Best of Luck
We also recommend trying “wishing you the best of luck” instead of “good luck.” It’s a more direct and personal way to show you support someone.
You don’t have to include the personal pronoun “I” here. However, you can use it as a variation. For instance:
- I wish you the best of luck.
Both of the phrases are acceptable as formal email closers. Feel free to use them when wishing someone well once they have a plan to move to something new.
You can also review the following email sample:
Dear Melissa,
You may not know what the future holds yet. However, I know you’re going to find a way to make the most out of it!
Wishing you the best of luck,
Scott Parker
8. I Hope Everything Goes Smoothly
Making moves and changes in life can be pretty tough. It’s scary to take that first big step, but it’s still good to get behind people when they do it.
A great supportive synonym to use is “I hope everything goes smoothly.”
It shows you fully encourage someone to pursue their hopes and dreams. It works well as both a friendly and formal alternative which will help you to sound professional when the time comes.
This email example will help you understand it better:
Dear Helen,
This is a big move for you. I wish you all the best with your future endeavors, and I hope you stay in touch.
I hope everything goes smoothly,
Sean Adams
9. Sending Positive Wishes Your Way
Positivity is the best policy. Remaining positive in emails shows you care about the recipient. Thus, “sending positive wishes your way” is an excellent alternative.
It shows how much you care about someone. This could go a long way to improving your relationship with them overall.
For example, you can use it when emailing clients who have something big planned. It implies that you know what’s happening in their life and want them to do well with whatever comes next.
After all, the more you care about your clients, the more they’ll care about your company. Show them you care, and they’ll keep working with you.
Here’s an example to show you how to use it::
Dear Ms. Smith,
I wish you all the best in your new job. Hopefully, it won’t be long before we start doing projects together again.
Sending positive wishes your way,
Steven Anthony
10. May Fortune Smile Upon You
We’ve touched on plenty of professional choices. We wanted to finish up with something that was more fun and unique.
“May fortune smile upon you” is fun to include as an email sign-off. It shows you want to send positive wishes to the recipient.
Of course, it’s not the most suitable in professional cases (like when emailing your boss).
Instead, you should use it when emailing colleagues. It shows you have a close and fun relationship with them.
You can also review this email sample:
Hi Jackie,
I hope you managed to find a way to complete the task. I know you’re the right person for the job.
May fortune smile upon you,
George Tayler