first I try

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first I try" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the initial step in a process or sequence of actions you plan to take. Example: "First I try to gather all the necessary materials before starting the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

First, I try to make lessons self-contained.

University of California, Berkeley

First, I try to lie on the desk.

The New York Times

"What I do is, first, I try to feel the music.

The New Yorker

FAMILY FIRST I try to make family a priority on Sundays.

The New York Times

"I did have misgivings at first – I try not to collaborate with brands very often.

The Guardian - Arts

But first, I try to put some of my training to work at home the next morning.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

"First, I tried all roses.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

First, I tried to get a gun.

The Washington Post

"First I tried to deny it," Mr. Partilla said.

The New York Times

First I tried not carrying cigarettes, bumming them from friends.

The New York Times

At first I tried to decline the necklace.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "first I try" to introduce an attempt, followed by a description of the outcome, successful or not, to provide context and results.

Common error

Avoid using "first I try" in overly complex sentences where it gets lost in multiple clauses. Keep the sentence structure clear and concise to maintain the focus on the initial attempt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first I try" functions as an adverbial phrase introducing a sequential action. According to Ludwig, it is often used to indicate the initial step in a process. This is evident from examples in Ludwig, which show it introducing actions across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "first I try" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate the initial step in a series of actions. As Ludwig confirms, its usage spans across diverse contexts like News & Media, Academia, and Science. While alternatives exist, such as "initially I attempt" or "I start by trying", "first I try" provides a straightforward way to signal the beginning of a process. When writing, using this phrase helps to clearly delineate the initial action from subsequent steps.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I start by trying

Simple rephrasing with an emphasis on beginning.

initially, I attempt

Emphasizes the beginning of an action and the attempt made.

at the start, I aim

Highlights aiming for a specific goal at the beginning.

as a first step, I endeavor

Focuses on the initial action taken with a sense of effort.

first off, I will try

An informal way to state the intention of trying something first.

to begin with, I give it a shot

Indicates starting something by trying it out.

initially, my intention is to try

Highlights the initial intention to attempt something.

my first approach is

Highlights the initial method or strategy.

the first thing I do is attempt

Emphasizes the priority and action of attempting.

my initial course of action is to try

Focuses on setting a deliberate course of action.

FAQs

How can I use "first I try" in a sentence?

You can use "first I try" to introduce an initial action or attempt within a sequence. For example, "First I try to gather all the necessary materials before starting the project."

What are some alternatives to "first I try"?

Alternatives include "initially I attempt", "at the start I aim", or "I start by trying" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "first I try"?

Yes, "first I try" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate the initial step in a process or a sequence of actions.

What's the difference between "first I try" and "first I tried"?

"First I try" indicates a present intention or habitual action, while "first I tried" indicates a past action or attempt. For example, "First I try to understand the instructions" versus "First I tried to fix it myself".