few fumbles later

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "few fumbles later" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that after a small number of mistakes or errors, something has occurred or changed. Example: "Few fumbles later, the team finally managed to score a touchdown."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A few fumbles later, Nautika was frustrated.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A few trial-and-error fumbles later and I get Sonic sprinting, at least – straight into some spikes that were covered by ice, but as I'm kind of on fire I've instantly melted the protective block, fallen, got pricked and lost my handful of rings.

Vice

Matt Dawson: 7 Had a few fumbles and misjudgments, but made them good with typical spirit.

The Guardian - Sport

A few fumbled lines underline the sense that Dullea is not wholly present in the enterprise.

The Guardian

Learning to read notes takes many hours practice, but saves you from fumbling later.

WikiHow

Walking onto the stage a few minutes later, Mr. De Niro fumbled with button on his coat, eventually getting it engaged, though the shirt was still loose.

The New York Times

Despite subsequently holding a more successful "official" campaign launch on the shores of Lake Champlain in Vermont a few days later, the fumbled Senate swamp announcement was to prove only a taste of the chaos to come.

The Guardian

Colt McCoy fumbled a few plays later to give the ball back to Texas A&M.

Wikipedia

A few minutes later, Joe Williams fumbled and Colorado linebacker Kenneth Olugbode went 10 yards with a scoop-and-score to widen the lead to 27-16.

Los Angeles Times

After Mooney's first touchdown, the Black Knights (1-4) doubled their lead a few minutes later when Tulane quarterback Kevin Moore fumbled.

The New York Times

I stood in a room full of journalists a few years later when he pulled out a gun and fumbled with it, unable to remove the magazine.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "few fumbles later" to convey a sense of minor, recoverable errors that don't significantly impede progress. It's useful in contexts where a more serious term like "failure" would be inappropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "few fumbles later" in formal reports or academic papers. While acceptable, it leans towards informal language. Opt for more professional alternatives like "after some initial setbacks" or "following a series of errors".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "few fumbles later" functions as an adverbial phrase, indicating a temporal sequence following a brief period of mistakes or errors. Ludwig's examples show it describing events happening after an initial period of adjustment or difficulty.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "few fumbles later" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that indicates something occurred after a small number of mistakes or errors. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's most commonly found in news and media contexts and carries a neutral tone. While "few fumbles later" isn't extremely common, it effectively conveys a sense of resilience following minor setbacks. When choosing an alternative, consider the formality of your writing; for more formal contexts, phrases like "after some initial setbacks" or "following a series of errors" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after a couple of missteps

Replaces "fumbles" with a more formal word, maintaining the sense of minor errors.

following a few errors

Uses "errors" instead of "fumbles", which might be more suitable in formal contexts.

after some initial setbacks

Emphasizes the idea of temporary delay due to errors.

after a bit of trial and error

Highlights the experimental aspect of making a few mistakes before achieving the desired outcome.

after some early stumbles

Synonymous to "fumbles", this alternative is slightly more descriptive of physical missteps.

following some early problems

Uses a more general term ("problems") to represent the initial mistakes.

after experiencing some difficulties

Emphasizes the challenges faced while still maintaining the general idea.

subsequent to a few mistakes

A more formal way of saying "after a few mistakes".

following a series of errors

Indicates a sequence of errors leading to the eventual outcome.

after overcoming initial obstacles

Highlights the overcoming of difficulties implied by the "fumbles".

FAQs

How can I use "few fumbles later" in a sentence?

You can use "few fumbles later" to describe a situation where someone makes a few mistakes but eventually succeeds. For example: "A few fumbles later, the team finally managed to score."

What's a more formal alternative to "few fumbles later"?

For formal contexts, you could use phrases like "after some initial setbacks", "following a series of errors", or "subsequent to a few mistakes".

Is "few fumbles later" appropriate for professional writing?

While grammatically correct, "few fumbles later" is generally better suited for informal or neutral writing. Consider your audience and the overall tone when deciding whether to use this phrase or a more formal alternative.

What does "few fumbles later" imply about the mistakes made?

The phrase suggests that the mistakes were minor and did not have a lasting impact on the overall outcome. It implies resilience and the ability to recover from small errors.