a few tries

USAGE SUMMARY

"a few tries" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation in which a person has been attempting something over a period of time, usually without success. Example: Despite a few tries, I still couldn't manage to solve the puzzle.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You get educated after a few tries".

The New York Times - Sports

Timing the maneuver exactly right may take a few tries.

The New York Times

It took me a few tries to pronounce that.

The New York Times

After a few tries, I made the right cast.

The New York Times - Sports

But after a few tries, she got it.

The New York Times

After a few tries, we got the hang of it.

The New York Times

So after a few tries the boy stopped running.

The New Yorker

So after a few tries, she left them at home.

The New York Times

"I've been fortunate enough to score a few tries recently.

The Guardian - Sport

It will probably take a few tries to get your animation right.

The New York Times

It usually takes someone a few tries to write an effective work.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a learning process or troubleshooting, use "a few tries" to acknowledge that initial failures are normal and persistence is key.

Common error

In academic or professional contexts, consider more precise alternatives like "several attempts" or "multiple iterations" to maintain a formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few tries" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the extent to which an action is repeated. Ludwig examples showcase its use in conveying the iterative nature of learning or achieving a desired outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

45%

News & Media

40%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a few tries" is a common and generally acceptable way to express that something may require multiple attempts before success. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It's frequently found in News & Media and Wiki content. While versatile, remember that formal contexts might benefit from alternatives like "several attempts" for a more polished tone. The examples highlight that the phrase is suitable for describing learning processes or problem-solving scenarios where persistence is important. Be mindful of overuse and consider more precise alternatives when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

repeated attempts

Highlights the repetitive nature of the tries.

several attempts

Emphasizes multiple efforts, possibly more than just a few.

successive attempts

Suggests that the tries followed one another closely.

a couple of attempts

Implies a smaller number of tries, specifically two.

a handful of attempts

Indicates a small, easily counted number of tries.

a number of attempts

Indicates an unspecified quantity of tries, more formal.

numerous tries

Emphasizes the large quantity of attempts.

multiple efforts

Focuses on the exertion of effort across several attempts.

various attempts

Stresses the variety or diversity of the attempts made.

several goes

Uses the informal term "goes" to mean attempts.

FAQs

How can I use "a few tries" in a sentence?

You can use "a few tries" to indicate that something may require multiple attempts before success, such as, "It might take "a few tries" to get the recipe right."

What can I say instead of "a few tries"?

Alternatives include "several attempts", "repeated attempts", or "multiple efforts", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a few tries" or "a couple of tries"?

"A couple of tries" specifically means two attempts, while "a few tries" implies a small, indefinite number greater than two. The better choice depends on the actual number of attempts made.

What's the difference between "a few tries" and "numerous attempts"?

"A few tries" suggests a small number of attempts, whereas "numerous attempts" implies a larger, potentially significant number of tries. The choice depends on the degree of effort you want to convey.