a first trial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a first trial" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the initial attempt or test of something, such as a product, process, or experiment. Example: "After conducting a first trial of the new software, we gathered feedback from the users to make improvements."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

A first trial ended in a mistrial, a second in acquittal.

The New York Times

A first trial ended in a hung jury, the second with a conviction and an 18-month prison term.

The New York Times

The organizers say that it is likely to be at least a year before a first trial takes place.

The New York Times

In a first trial that ended last year, Mr. Anwar was sentenced to six years in prison for abuse of power.

The New York Times

A first trial found Wells and Squires guilty; the former was sentenced to branding and imprisonment, the latter to execution by hanging.

The Guardian - Books

A first trial in London ended with none of the eight defendants convicted of the principal charge of plotting to blow up airliners.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

He is awaiting a second trial.

The New York Times

He was acquitted in a second trial.

The New York Times

[Page C2.] A Second Trial for a Former Banker?

The New York Times

Eventually, Leyla had a second trial, with a younger judge.

The New Yorker

A second trial ended with a hung jury.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing experimental procedures, use "a first trial" to clearly indicate the initial run or test phase. This provides clarity in scientific and technical writing.

Common error

Avoid redundant use of "first" when describing subsequent trials. After mentioning "a first trial", use ordinal numbers like "second", "third", etc., or descriptive phrases like "follow-up trial" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a first trial" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It designates the initial attempt or experiment within a series or process. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

36%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a first trial" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to denote the initial attempt or experiment in a sequence. According to Ludwig, it finds frequent application in both scientific and news contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. When using the phrase, clarity and precision are key. It's best practice to specify the context of the trial and avoid overuse of "first" in subsequent descriptions. Alternatives such as "a preliminary test" or "an initial experiment" can be used for variety, depending on the specific nuances you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an initial experiment

Replaces 'trial' with 'experiment', emphasizing the exploratory nature.

a preliminary test

Substitutes 'first' with 'preliminary', highlighting the preparatory aspect.

an early attempt

Emphasizes the timing and nature of the effort.

a pilot study

Specifies the trial as a small-scale study conducted beforehand.

an initial assessment

Highlights the evaluative purpose of the trial.

the opening round

Presents the trial as the first stage in a process.

a debut attempt

Focuses on introducing something new.

a primary investigation

Focuses on the initial investigative aspects.

the maiden voyage

Uses a metaphor to refer to the first time something is used.

a test run

Informal alternative, suggesting a practice session.

FAQs

How can I use "a first trial" in a sentence?

You can use "a first trial" to refer to the initial attempt or experiment. For example, "In "a first trial", the new drug showed promising results."

What's the difference between "a first trial" and "a pilot study"?

"A first trial" is a general term for the initial attempt, while "a pilot study" specifically refers to a small-scale preliminary study conducted before a larger research project.

Which is correct, "a first trial" or "an initial trial"?

Both "a first trial" and "an initial trial" are correct and can be used interchangeably to describe the first attempt or test of something.

What can I say instead of "a first trial" in a research paper?

In a research paper, you can use alternatives like "a preliminary test", "an initial experiment", or "a pilot study" depending on the context.