after a second try

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after a second try" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was attempted again after an initial unsuccessful attempt. Example: "I finally managed to solve the puzzle after a second try."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

After a second try the shot worked smoothly.

The New York Times

A try from Jordan Tansey two minutes before the interval handed Hull a lifeline in their Super League derby at Craven Park, but bitter rivals Hull KR came out on top after a second try in the second half by Paul Cooke and two additional goals for a total of four from Michael Dobson made the final score 24-18.

The Guardian - Sport

But Saracens led 23-13 athehe interval after a second try from Ernst Joubert and three Owen Farrell penalties.

BBC

Now, after a second try, she has come in first among thousands of students competing for the scholarship by winning at the Voice of Democracy national finals.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

After a rest, a second try ended in 30.3 seconds.

BBC

It passed on a second try, after the European Union offered assurances on contentious issues like abortion and military neutrality.

The New York Times

He won one from Xabi Alonso, was handed a second try after encroachment, but could still only shoot over.

Independent

That executive order was itself a second try, after a first one that also included Iraq and applied even to green-card holders who had lived in America for years was hastily re-written.

The New Yorker

There was no respite for Warrington at the start of the second half when Ashurst went over for a second try, after a fine pass from the in-form half-back Jacob Miller to make it 30-6.

The Guardian - Sport

Waratahs might have had a second try after a long cut-out pass had again stretched the Lions, forcing Adam Jones to concede a penalty.

BBC

Matthew Luamanu came close to adding a second try after outrunning the Scarlets but Liam Williams and Hadley Parkes denied the number eight inches short of the try line.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context: in formal writing, "on the second attempt" or "at the second attempt" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "after a second try" when the first attempt wasn't actually a complete failure. Ensure there was a genuine attempt and subsequent failure before the second try.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after a second try" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when something occurred in relation to a repeated attempt. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in context.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "after a second try" is a grammatically correct and useful phrase for indicating that something was achieved only after a repeated attempt. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its validity and provides examples from reputable sources, primarily in the news and media context. While "after a second try" is suitable for general writing, more formal alternatives like "on the second attempt" may be preferred in certain settings. Remember to use the phrase accurately, ensuring that a genuine first attempt and subsequent failure preceded the second try for clarity and accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the second attempt

More formal and direct, focusing on the specific attempt number.

at the second attempt

Similar to 'on the second attempt', with a slightly different prepositional emphasis.

with a second attempt

Emphasizes the action of making another attempt.

upon a second try

More formal and less common alternative.

following a retry

Uses 'retry' as a noun, implying a technological or procedural context.

after retrying

Uses 'retrying' as a verb, highlighting the act of repeating the attempt.

in the second iteration

More technical, suitable for iterative processes or software development.

the second time around

More colloquial and informal.

giving it another shot

Very informal and conversational.

after another go

Informal, using the British English term 'go' for attempt.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "after a second try" in a formal context?

In more formal settings, consider using alternatives like "on the second attempt" or "at the second attempt" for a more sophisticated tone.

Is it grammatically correct to say "after the second try"?

Yes, "after the second try" is grammatically correct and conveys the same meaning as "after a second try". The choice between "a" and "the" depends on the context and whether you're referring to a specific second try.

What's a more casual way to say "after a second try"?

For informal situations, you might say "the second time around" or even "giving it another shot".

How does "after a second try" compare to "on the second try"?

"After a second try" emphasizes the sequence of events, while "on the second try" focuses more directly on the successful attempt. They are largely interchangeable but carry slightly different connotations.