after three attempts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after three attempts" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something occurred following three tries or efforts to achieve a goal. Example: "After three attempts to solve the puzzle, she finally found the correct answer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The photographer strikes out after three attempts.

The New York Times - Style

He makes it after three attempts.

The Guardian - Sport

After three attempts, they still did not have it right.

The New York Times

He became an analyst and then, after three attempts, a training analyst.

The New York Times

After three attempts to install the suite, I gave up and reinstalled Vista.

The Guardian - Tech

A failure to install a presidential candidate after three attempts would force parliament to dissolve.

Independent

After three attempts, he cautiously edges the vessel into position until it is captured by the station's docking mechanism.

The Guardian

He was appointed as assistant conductor of the BBC Scottish Symphony in 1957 after three attempts for the job.

The New York Times

It is the first time — after three attempts in recent years — that the legislation will be debated on the floor of the General Assembly.

The Washington Post

After three attempts using 400 men to take the post, the Frontier Corps had to retreat along the 16-mile road from Loe Sam to Khar.

The New York Times

After three attempts to sell the mine, 25 miles from the Arizona border, the high bid in an auction this week was $475 million, from a Mexican group.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "after three attempts", ensure the context clearly indicates what the attempts were directed towards. This helps avoid ambiguity and provides clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid vague references. Instead of saying "after three attempts, it worked", specify what "it" refers to, such as "after three attempts to start the car, it finally worked".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after three attempts" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause, indicating the temporal sequence in which an action occurred. Ludwig shows its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "after three attempts" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that indicates a sequence of repeated efforts leading to a specific outcome. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples across various domains, including news media and scientific publications. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly specifies the nature of the attempts to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "following three tries" and "after making three efforts", among others.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

following three tries

This alternative replaces 'attempts' with 'tries', offering a more informal tone.

after making three efforts

This variation uses 'efforts' instead of 'attempts', emphasizing the exertion involved.

subsequent to three endeavors

This option uses more formal vocabulary like 'subsequent' and 'endeavors'.

after a trio of tries

Replaces 'three' with 'trio' and 'attempts' with 'tries' for a slightly different feel.

on the fourth try

This indicates success only happened on the fourth time the action was performed.

at the fourth attempt

Implies all previous attempts failed and success was only achieved the fourth time.

following three stabs at it

This is a more colloquial and less formal way of expressing the idea.

only after three goes

This uses the informal term 'goes' to refer to attempts.

after thrice attempting

Uses the archaic word 'thrice' for 'three times', lending a formal tone.

with success on the third repetition

This highlights the repetitive nature of the actions and eventual success.

FAQs

How can I use "after three attempts" in a sentence?

You can use "after three attempts" to indicate that someone or something succeeded on the third try. For example, "After three attempts, he finally opened the stubborn jar."

What are some alternatives to saying "after three attempts"?

Alternatives include "following three tries", "after making three efforts", or "on the fourth try". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it more correct to say "after three attempts" or "following three attempts"?

Both "after three attempts" and "following three attempts" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "After three attempts" is more common and direct.

What does it mean to say something happened "after three attempts"?

It means that someone tried to do something two times unsuccessfully, and only on the third try did they achieve the desired result.