after three tries

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after three tries" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was attempted three times before achieving a result or conclusion. Example: "After three tries, I finally managed to solve the puzzle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

AFTER three tries at perfecting one of the most ambitious moments of moviemaking in the two-hour television film "Submerged," they almost lost the cameraman.

The New York Times

After three tries, that glass came loose and I had to approximate its position and reglue it.

The New York Times

Things calmed down after three tries in eight minutes with Myler and Laidlaw exchanging penalties before Northampton's final assault.

The Guardian - Sport

After three tries since last Friday, he's happy with his results, he explained Thursday morning over coffee and a preview of his version of the croissant/doughnut hybrid, which he is calling a French Donut.

The New York Times

Ranked in the top 10percentt of her class, she bombed out on the SAT's; after three tries, she never broke a combined score of 950, out of a possible 1,600.

The New York Times

After three tries I was unable to download a Chrome browser (a pretty serious problem in its own right, considering how much trouble Microsoft had over hampering access to Netscape), so I wasn't able to get at Google Drive in a form that would allow offline composition.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

After ten tries I got into medical school.

The New York Times

After seven tries, she said, "finally it worked.

The New York Times

After eight tries, I visited Sephora to ask a pro for some pointers.

The New York Times

"After two tries, nothing was working, and I was really down in the dumps.

The New Yorker

"And when it was over, after twenty tries, Pedro still was not convinced.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "after three tries" to clearly indicate a process of repeated attempts leading to a final outcome. This helps to highlight persistence or the need for adjustment.

Common error

Avoid using "after three tries" if the endeavor ultimately failed. The phrase generally suggests eventual success or a significant change in approach.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after three tries" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating when or how something happened. This construction uses a preposition ("after") followed by a noun phrase ("three tries") to specify the condition or circumstance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "after three tries" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase, as validated by Ludwig. It indicates that an action or event occurred following three attempts, often implying persistence or adjustment. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Wiki contexts, maintaining a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended meaning of repetition and potential success or change of strategy. Alternatives like "following three attempts" or "on the fourth attempt" can be used depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after three attempts

A direct synonym, maintaining the original meaning.

following three attempts

Emphasizes the sequence of attempts leading to a result.

at the third attempt

Specifies the exact try when success occurs.

on the fourth attempt

Focuses on the successful attempt rather than the preceding failures.

after a trio of attempts

Uses "trio" to refer at the number of attempts.

with three attempts made

Highlights the effort invested in the process.

having tried three times

Focuses on the action of attempting something repeatedly.

following three failed attempts

Explicitly mentions the failures before any potential success.

after repeated attempts

Implies multiple tries without specifying the exact number.

three attempts later

Indicates the time elapsed before a change or success.

FAQs

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

You can use "after three tries" to indicate that someone has attempted something multiple times. For example, "After three tries, she finally passed her driving test."

What are some alternatives to "after three tries"?

Some alternatives include "following three attempts", "after repeated attempts", or "on the fourth attempt depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "after three tries"?

Yes, the phrase "after three tries" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English.

What does "after three tries" imply about the outcome?

"After three tries" usually implies that there was some kind of adjustment or eventual success, even if partial, or at least that the outcome was different from the initial attempts.