despite many tries

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "despite many tries" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was not successful even after multiple attempts. Example: "Despite many tries, she was unable to solve the complex puzzle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Broadcasters have long argued that labels don't need to be paid a royalty because they benefit from the promotion of airplay, and despite many tries over the years, labels have been unable to persuade Congress to change the law.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It took many tries.

The New York Times

He just doesn't sound like anybody else, despite many who try to sound like him (the closest contestant being David Bowie's second-in-command, Mick Ronson).

The Guardian - Music

Many tried.

The New York Times

Many tried and failed.

The New York Times - Arts

Not that many try.

The New York Times

Many try to escape.

The Guardian - Opinion

Many try to.

The New York Times

Many tried, few succeeded.

The Guardian

Many tried to get there.

Los Angeles Times

Despite the many forces trying to keep crowds away (fire at Miami airport, delays into Ft. Lauderdale Airport, traffic all over Miami, overbooked cab companies) over 150,000 enthusiastic fans made their way to Bicentennial Park on Friday for the 13th annual Ultra Music Festival.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "despite many tries" to clearly indicate that an effort has been made repeatedly, but without success. It's effective for emphasizing persistence alongside a lack of positive outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "despite many tries" in highly formal or academic writing; consider alternatives like "in spite of numerous attempts" or "notwithstanding repeated efforts" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

Prepositional phrase: "Despite many tries" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate concession or contrast. According to Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "despite many tries" is a grammatically sound way to indicate that something was attempted repeatedly but without success. While Ludwig confirms its usability, it is relatively uncommon, appearing most frequently in news and media. When choosing this phrase, consider your audience and the desired level of formality, as more sophisticated alternatives may be appropriate in academic or professional contexts. Be mindful to use it when you want to emphasize the persistence of effort in the face of a negative outcome. The phrase successfully communicates a contrast between effort and result.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

despite repeated attempts

Replaces "many tries" with "repeated attempts" for a more concise expression.

in spite of numerous attempts

Uses "in spite of" instead of "despite" and "numerous attempts" to replace "many tries", adding a slightly more formal tone.

even after numerous attempts

Combines "even after" with "numerous attempts" for a more emphatic tone.

regardless of repeated efforts

Replaces "despite" with "regardless of" and "many tries" with "repeated efforts", conveying a similar meaning with a slightly different emphasis.

even with multiple attempts

Uses "even with" as a substitute for "despite" and "multiple attempts" for "many tries", offering a more straightforward phrasing.

notwithstanding several attempts

Employs "notwithstanding" for "despite" and "several attempts" for "many tries", resulting in a more formal and less common expression.

after numerous attempts

Focuses on the sequence of events, highlighting the attempts that preceded the outcome, rather than the contrast.

with all those attempts

This alternative implies that the attempts have been exhausted.

for all the efforts

Implies a sense of resignation or futility despite the efforts made.

yet so many attempts to

Places emphasis on the number of attempts, often highlighting a surprising or unexpected outcome.

FAQs

What does "despite many tries" mean?

The phrase "despite many tries" indicates that something has been attempted multiple times, but without success. It emphasizes the persistence of effort despite a negative outcome.

How can I use "despite many tries" in a sentence?

You can use "despite many tries" to show that an effort was made repeatedly but failed. For example, "Despite many tries, the team could not win the game."

What are some alternatives to "despite many tries"?

Alternatives include "in spite of numerous attempts", "regardless of repeated efforts", or "even with multiple attempts", depending on the level of formality desired.

Is "despite many tries" formal or informal?

"Despite many tries" is generally considered neutral in formality. While suitable for most contexts, more formal alternatives like "notwithstanding several attempts" may be preferred in academic or professional settings.