at the second attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

"at the second attempt" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was attempted for a second time. Example: "After failing to solve the puzzle at the first attempt, she decided to try again. At the second attempt, she was able to find the solution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

From Scholes, at the second attempt.

The Guardian - Sport

Pinto holds at the second attempt.

The Guardian - Sport

5.55pm Bendtner's shot is saved at the second attempt.

The Guardian - Sport

Regaining possession Pérez made no mistake at the second attempt.

The Guardian - Sport

It's straight at Tyton, who grabs it at the second attempt with Baros in close attendance.

The Guardian - Sport

Despite this, it would take almost two weeks before Congress agreed – at the second attempt.

Independent

He got into drama school, the Guildhall, at the second attempt.

Independent

It has held free and fair presidential (at the second attempt) and parliamentary elections.

The Guardian - Opinion

3.33pm: Gerrard should have made it two-nil but Handanovic held on at the second attempt.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

It's a blistering effort which the ailing Rustu gathers at the second attempt.

The Guardian - Sport

Coppinger had a fierce angled drive saved at the second attempt by Given in the 57th minute.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the second attempt" to clearly indicate that a previous try was unsuccessful and that the action was repeated.

Common error

Avoid using "at the second attempt" when you mean "at first" or "initially". The phrase specifically indicates a repeated effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the second attempt" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when and how an action was performed. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, from sports to academic achievements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at the second attempt" is a common and grammatically sound way to express success after an initial failure. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It functions as an adverbial phrase, adding crucial timing information to a statement, especially in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts. When writing, remember to use this phrase to illustrate scenarios where something was achieved only after a repeated effort. Alternatives such as "on the second try" or "after a second effort" can provide stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the second try

This alternative is a more informal way of expressing the same idea.

after a second effort

This alternative focuses on the effort expended in the second attempt.

in the second instance

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes a specific occurrence.

with a repeated attempt

This alternative emphasizes the act of repeating the attempt.

following a retry

This alternative is concise and suitable for technical contexts.

upon the second endeavor

This alternative uses more formal and elaborate language.

the second time around

This alternative is an idiomatic and informal way to express repetition.

after another go

This is an informal, almost colloquial, way to say the same thing.

at the next opportunity

This alternative implies a delay and another chance.

subsequently

This alternative is a single-word adverb indicating something that follows.

FAQs

How can I use "at the second attempt" in a sentence?

You can use "at the second attempt" to show that someone succeeded after failing the first time. For example, "He passed the exam "at the second attempt"."

What are some alternatives to saying "at the second attempt"?

You can use alternatives such as "on the second try", "after a second effort", or "the second time around" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "at the second attempt" or "on the second attempt"?

"At the second attempt" and "on the second attempt" are both grammatically correct and largely interchangeable. The choice often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations.

What's the difference between "at the first attempt" and "at the second attempt"?

"At the first attempt" means succeeding immediately, while "at the second attempt" implies an initial failure followed by success on the next try.