a second attempt to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a second attempt to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to making a second attempt at something. For example, "I am making a second attempt to pass my English exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After repelling a second attempt to take Vienna in 1683, the Austrians and then the Russians began to push back the sultan's frontiers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Yemeni government made a second attempt to offer support.

The Guardian

Mr. Issa made a second attempt to persuade her to change her mind.

The New York Times

The House leadership, however, plans a second attempt to pass the bill later this week.

The New York Times

The Patriots are expected to make a second attempt to get Vital soon.

The New York Times - Sports

It was almost an afterthought when, early last January, the town board made a second attempt to abolish the commission.

The New Yorker

Two days later, King led a second attempt to march across the bridge, but with dangerously equivocal results.

The New Yorker

A second attempt to add a lawsuit shield also failed during discussion of the 2005 energy bill.

The New York Times

There is a detail here of course that Zooey, in making a second attempt to converse with Franny about this, impersonates his brother, Buddy, on the phone.

Yale University

If a deal is finished, it would be a second attempt to sell Talecris, a maker of blood plasma drugs, to help its majority owners cash out.

The New York Times

Duan captured Beijing on July 14; Zhang fled to asylum in the Legation Quarter, and this ended a second attempt to restore the imperial system.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a second attempt to" to clearly indicate that an action has been tried before and is being repeated. It provides context and emphasizes the iterative nature of the process.

Common error

Avoid using "another attempt to" when you specifically mean the second try. "Another" implies any additional attempt, while "a second attempt" clearly indicates the next immediate try after the first.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a second attempt to" functions as a noun phrase that modifies a verb, indicating the repetition of an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. Examples show it precedes a verb expressing the intended action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a second attempt to" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to indicate the repetition of an action, typically after a previous failure. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various writing contexts, especially in news, science, and encyclopedic content. While alternatives exist, such as "another try at" or "a renewed effort to", choosing "a second attempt to" precisely specifies that it's the immediate next try. Remember to avoid redundancy and use it accurately to convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

re-attempting to

A more concise, single-word substitution for "making a second attempt".

a repeated attempt to

Emphasizes the repetition of the attempt.

another try at

Replaces "attempt" with the more casual "try" and uses the preposition "at" instead of "to".

a follow-up attempt to

Highlights that the attempt is subsequent to a previous one.

a subsequent attempt to

Similar to "follow-up attempt", indicating a later attempt.

a renewed effort to

Substitutes "attempt" with "effort", suggesting a more vigorous undertaking.

the next attempt to

Indicates the immediate succession of the attempt.

trying again to

A more direct and simple way of expressing the idea of making another attempt.

making another effort to

Combines "making an effort" with the idea of repetition.

taking another shot at

Uses the idiomatic expression "taking a shot", implying a chance or opportunity.

FAQs

How can I use "a second attempt to" in a sentence?

You can use "a second attempt to" to indicate a repeated action, such as, "After the first failure, the team made "a second attempt to" launch the rocket".

What are some alternatives to "a second attempt to"?

Alternatives include phrases like "another try at", "a renewed effort to", or "trying again to", depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "a second attempt to try"?

Yes, saying "a second attempt to try" is generally redundant. It's better to use ""a second attempt to"" followed by the action you're attempting, such as "a second attempt to fix the problem".

When should I use "a second attempt to" instead of "another attempt to"?

Use ""a second attempt to"" when you specifically mean the very next try after the first. Use "another attempt to" when you want to indicate an additional try without specifying which one in the sequence.