an initial try

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an initial try" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the first attempt or effort made towards achieving something. Example: "After an initial try at solving the problem, I realized I needed to change my approach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

If an initial try for unanimity on the legal issues in Bush v. Palm Beach County Canvassing Board falls short, the court has several options that could avoid the appearance of taking sides in a dispute that has probably moved beyond the court's power to affect, in any event.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Google says its results are fast; on an initial try-out of the service,  they do seem to appear instantaneously, compared with other sites where users wait while the site compiles results.

The New York Times

The conviction brings to an end a lengthy prosecution brought by the Serious Fraud Office, which saw an initial attempt to try Kallakis thwarted when his co-defendant, Williams, attempted suicide.

The Guardian

Our work represents an initial effort to try to better understand the feasibility and outcomes of studying or training abroad among health professionals in Harbin.

Globalization and Health

An initial attempt to try out for work will often be made with economic support from the social insurance offices.

BMC Public Health

It can be hard to critique your own work, so after you've done an initial edit, try to get some friends or a poetry group (there are plenty online) to look at your poem for you.

WikiHow

This is my second attempt at a mock draft this season, with the initial try being published in USA Today's 2012 Draft Preview magazine.

The New York Times

One of the reasons I believe Facebook Home's initial try failed was that it was too insular.

TechCrunch

He said legislation in Italy to overhaul public financing of elections would be an initial step to try to show disaffected voters that mainstream parties were trying to respond, as would pending changes to make voting more representative.

The New York Times

Words with "wh" begin with an initial "h" sound; try expelling a bit of breath before the word -- the result should be something akin to "hwine".

WikiHow

He made an initial mistake of trying to do the walk in one go.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an initial try" to clearly indicate the first attempt at something, setting expectations that further attempts may be necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "an initial try" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language with synonyms like "first attempt" or "preliminary effort" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an initial try" functions as a noun phrase, where "initial" modifies the noun "try". It specifies that the attempt being referred to is the first one. Ludwig examples confirm this usage, illustrating its role in describing early attempts at various tasks.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Academia

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an initial try" is a commonly used phrase to describe the first attempt at something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and can be found across diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific publications and general wikis. While versatile, it's essential to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "first attempt" or "preliminary effort" for enhanced clarity and engagement. The phrase maintains a neutral register, suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a preliminary attempt

Replaces "initial" with "preliminary", emphasizing the exploratory nature of the effort.

a first shot

Uses a more informal, idiomatic expression for "attempt".

an early effort

Focuses on the timing of the attempt, highlighting that it's one of the first.

a trial run

Implies a test or practice before a real attempt.

a starting attempt

Emphasizes the beginning of the process.

a tentative effort

Highlights the uncertain or hesitant nature of the initial attempt.

a pilot attempt

Suggests that the attempt is part of a pilot project or experiment.

a maiden effort

Adds a sense of novelty or inexperience to the attempt.

a primary attempt

Focuses on the attempt being first in order or importance.

a test attempt

Highlights the attempt is for testing a concept.

FAQs

How can I use "an initial try" in a sentence?

You can use "an initial try" to describe the first attempt at something. For example: "After "an initial try", we adjusted our strategy."

What are some alternatives to "an initial try"?

Some alternatives include "first attempt", "preliminary effort", or "trial run", depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "initial first try"?

Yes, saying "initial first try" is redundant because "initial" and "first" convey the same meaning. Stick to either ""an initial try"" or "a first try".

What's the difference between "an initial try" and "a final try"?

"An initial try" refers to the first attempt, while "a final try" implies the last or concluding attempt.