a rare try

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a rare try" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an attempt that is uncommon or infrequent, often implying that the effort is noteworthy or exceptional. Example: "After several failed attempts, she finally made a rare try at solving the complex puzzle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Mitch Brown hit straight back for the Bulldogs after another fine pass from Lafai and prop Aiden Tolman rumbled over for a rare try after Sandow had dropped the ball to hand possession to the Bulldogs on the 30-metre line.

The Guardian - Sport

Sinfield has been a constant through them all, and inevitably the intelligent, industrious playmaker from Oldham played a key hand yet again, earning the Harry Sunderland Trophy as man of the match for a personal contribution of 14 points through a rare try and five goals from as many attempts.

The Guardian - Sport

Bowen and Charnley combined again as Wigan spread the ball from deep inside their own half, a combination of adventure and ruthlessness that ended with Smith scoring a rare try after an even rarer tackle-burst that Huddersfield's hooker Shaun Lunt would not want to see again.

The Guardian - Sport

Brad Barritt is perhaps further from Jones's eye for an international recall but he impressed his Saracens coach, Mark McCall, with a rare try amid a strong performance, in a Saracens' win sealed by Alex Lozowski's 15 points from the tee.

The Guardian - Sport

Peacock marked his milestone occasion with a rare try after the break, 15 years to the day after he made his senior debut against the very same opponents.

BBC

The ex-Wallaby wing was pulled down just short but Chiocci rumbled over before Wilkinson himself scored a rare try, scything over under the posts to finish off another powerful Toulon attack.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

On Wednesday, the Supreme Federal Tribunal ordered the immediate arrest of Natan Donadon, a congressman found guilty in 2010 of embezzlement — a rare attempt to try to imprison a sitting congressman.

The New York Times

I did encounter a few rare "try again" messages, but the frequency of those decreased over my time with the phone until they were non-existent, something which Apple says is due to the sensor being able to improve its success rate by learning more about your print over time.

TechCrunch

Saracens worked a beautiful – and all too rare – try from a scrum, finished in deadly fashion by Chris Ashton: 21-0; 25 minutes.

The Guardian - Sport

If you're not rare, try to get a rare wista.

WikiHow

The former All Black played a key role in the tricolours 13th premiership, his team twice coming from behind to secure a 26-18 win at ANZ Stadium in a decider that featured a rare penalty try to the Manly centre Jamie Lyon and a number of other contentious calls.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a rare try" when you want to emphasize that an attempt is not common and might be particularly noteworthy because of its infrequency.

Common error

Avoid using "a rare try" when describing something that is merely difficult or challenging. The phrase should be reserved for situations where the attempt itself is genuinely uncommon, not just the success of it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rare try" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "rare" modifies the noun "try". Ludwig AI validates this usage with examples showing it describing attempts that are uncommon or infrequent. It characterizes the nature of the effort being described.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

20%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a rare try" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English used to denote an infrequent or uncommon attempt. Ludwig examples show its usage across diverse sources such as news media and general reference. Ludwig AI highlights its acceptability, suggesting its effectiveness in emphasizing the unusual nature of an effort. While the phrase isn't extremely common, its versatility makes it suitable for various contexts where emphasizing rarity is key. When employing this phrase, ensure the attempt truly stands out as infrequent to maintain accuracy and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

An infrequent attempt

Emphasizes the lack of regularity in the attempt.

An uncommon effort

Highlights the unusual nature of the endeavor.

A scarce endeavor

Focuses on the limited availability or occurrence of the undertaking.

An isolated attempt

Suggests the attempt happened only once or very few times.

An exceptional effort

Stresses the remarkable quality of the attempt.

An atypical attempt

Indicates the attempt deviates from the norm.

A unique endeavor

Focuses on the distinct and unparalleled nature of the effort.

A singular attempt

Highlights the one-of-a-kind nature of the try.

An infrequent shot

Emphasizes the lack of regularity in the attempt, using "shot" metaphorically.

A seldom attempt

Focuses on how infrequently the attempt happens.

FAQs

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

You can use "a rare try" to describe an uncommon or infrequent attempt. For example, "It was "a rare try" for the usually conservative company to launch such an innovative product."

What are some alternatives to "a rare try"?

Some alternatives to "a rare try" include "an infrequent attempt", "an uncommon effort", or "an isolated attempt", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a rare try"?

It's appropriate to use "a rare try" when you want to emphasize that the attempt is uncommon and possibly surprising or exceptional because of its infrequency.

What's the difference between "a rare try" and "a unique try"?

"A rare try" emphasizes the infrequency of the attempt, while "a unique try" highlights the distinctiveness or originality of the approach. Use "a unique try" when the method is novel, and "a rare try" when the attempt itself is uncommon.