a great try

USAGE SUMMARY

"a great try" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express praise for someone's effort, even if the result wasn't successful. For example, "You gave it your best effort, it was a great try!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

He has time on the ball, scored a great try and his kicking was exceptional.

Independent

A great try from Croft followed up two very good ones from Tuilagi and Foden.

The Guardian - Sport

They were a bit fortunate before half-time but Ben Youngs scored a great try and they cemented their excellent start to the season.

The Guardian - Sport

7. Will scores top try but trying times for Sharon Will played a rugby tournament during the week and scored a great try as his team reached the semi-finals.

Independent

So this begs the question: if San Francisco score a great try at Sacramento but everyone is elsewhere, watching the Golden State Warriors set the court on fire, will they make a sound?

The Guardian - Sport

Will get better GETTY IMAGES 14/15 Jack Nowell - 6 Knocked on first touch and France scored but put that behind him to become a useful attacking option but has learnt that he must offer more out wide GETTY IMAGES 15/15 Mike Brown - 7 Had to play on the wing for all but five minutes and still managed to grab a great try.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

He's a great trier, keeps coming in.

The Guardian - Sport

"He is a great trier, so as you can imagine, he has been putting everything into it," the friend said.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He has a great try-scoring record in club rugby and we always ask the question 'can he step up?' Well, he has just done it against New Zealand".

BBC

"Jack (Nowell) scored them by being on the end of the last pass on the wing and now, I suppose, that will make him a great try-scoring winger, the reality is that his strength is that he does work all over the pitch.

BBC

Ashton, one of three Sims brothers in the Fiji starting XIII in addition to Ryan and Daryl Millard and Kevin and Wes Naiqama, pulled off a great try-saving tackle when he dislodged the ball from Sam Burgess as the England forward dived over the line.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a great try" to offer encouragement after a failed attempt, highlighting the positive aspects of the effort made.

Common error

Avoid using "a great try" sarcastically, as it can undermine the intended encouragement and come across as condescending.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great try" primarily functions as an expression of encouragement and acknowledgement after an attempt, particularly when the attempt falls short of success. Ludwig AI indicates that it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a great try" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase for acknowledging and encouraging effort, particularly when an attempt doesn't fully succeed. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While its register is generally neutral, it's wise to consider the formality of the context, opting for alternatives like "commendable effort" in more formal settings. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, suggesting broad applicability. Remember to use it genuinely, avoiding any sarcastic undertones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

good effort

A simpler, more general way to acknowledge effort.

commendable effort

Focuses on the quality of the effort made.

worthy effort

Implies the effort was valuable and worthwhile.

valiant attempt

Highlights the courage and determination in trying.

remarkable attempt

Emphasizes the impressiveness of the attempt, even if unsuccessful.

almost made it

Informal way of saying someone nearly succeeded.

creditable performance

Highlights the positive aspects of the performance despite the outcome.

notable endeavor

Emphasizes the significance of the undertaking.

near miss

Similar to "close call", emphasizing proximity to success.

close call

Focuses on the narrow margin of failure.

FAQs

How can I use "a great try" in a sentence?

You can use "a great try" to acknowledge someone's effort, even if they didn't succeed. For example, "You almost won the game; it was a great try!"

What are some alternatives to "a great try"?

You can use alternatives like "commendable effort", "good effort", or "valiant attempt" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a great try" in a formal setting?

While generally acceptable, consider the formality of the setting. In very formal situations, alternatives like "commendable effort" or "notable endeavor" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "a great try" and "good effort"?

Both phrases acknowledge effort, but "a great try" often implies a more significant or near-successful attempt. "Good effort" is a more general acknowledgment.