few tries

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "few tries" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of attempts made to achieve something. Example: "After a few tries, I finally managed to solve the puzzle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You get educated after a few tries".

The New York Times - Sports

Timing the maneuver exactly right may take a few tries.

The New York Times

It took me a few tries to pronounce that.

The New York Times

After a few tries, I made the right cast.

The New York Times - Sports

But after a few tries, she got it.

The New York Times

After a few tries, we got the hang of it.

The New York Times

So after a few tries the boy stopped running.

The New Yorker

So after a few tries, she left them at home.

The New York Times

"I've been fortunate enough to score a few tries recently.

The Guardian - Sport

It will probably take a few tries to get your animation right.

The New York Times

It usually takes someone a few tries to write an effective work.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "few tries", ensure the context makes it clear what the attempts are related to. For example, "After a few tries, I finally learned to ride a bike."

Common error

Avoid using "few tries" when many attempts were actually needed. "Few" implies a relatively small number of attempts, so if it took dozens of tries, a phrase like "many attempts" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "few tries" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as an adverbial modifier indicating the number of attempts made before achieving a result. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a standard and usable phrase. It is frequently used to describe learning processes or problem-solving scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

42%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "few tries" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes a small number of attempts at something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its common usage spans across diverse contexts, especially within News & Media and Wiki content, emphasizing its versatility. The phrase functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as an adverbial modifier to highlight efficiency or quick learning. While generally neutral in tone, writers should be mindful of using it accurately to reflect the actual number of attempts made. For situations requiring a different nuance, alternatives such as "a couple of attempts" or "several attempts" can be considered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a couple of attempts

Replaces "few" with "couple", suggesting a slightly smaller number of attempts.

several attempts

Replaces "few" with "several", implying a slightly larger, but still limited, number of attempts.

a handful of tries

Uses "handful" to indicate a small quantity of attempts.

a limited number of attempts

More formal and explicitly states the attempts are limited.

a small number of tries

Directly states the quantity of tries is small.

some attempts

A general term, not specifying the number of tries.

repeated attempts

Focuses on the repetition of the attempts rather than the exact number.

multiple attempts

Highlights that there was more than one attempt.

after repeated efforts

More formal; emphasizes the effort involved in the attempts.

with a bit of practice

Shifts focus from specific attempts to the general idea of practice.

FAQs

How can I use "few tries" in a sentence?

You can use "few tries" to describe a situation where someone attempts something a small number of times. For example, "It took me a few tries to get the recipe right."

What can I say instead of "few tries"?

You can use alternatives like "a couple of attempts", "several attempts", or "a handful of tries" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a few tries" or "few try"?

"A few tries" is correct. "Try" should be pluralized to "tries" because "few" refers to multiple attempts.

What's the difference between "few tries" and "many tries"?

"Few tries" indicates a small number of attempts, while "many tries" indicates a large number of attempts. The choice depends on how many attempts were actually made.