first attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'first attempt' is a perfectly acceptable and usable expression in written English.
It is often used to signify the first attempt a person makes at a task or situation. For example: "This was my first attempt at cooking a soufflé, and I'm pleased with how it turned out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The first attempt failed.

The New York Times

My first attempt was unsuccessful.

The New York Times

Ash has already completed his first attempt.

The New York Times

And all at the first attempt, too.

Independent

Esarhaddon's first attempt in 674 673 miscarried.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He succeeded at the first attempt.

Independent

Leo's first attempt was not successful.

The New York Times

The first attempt was only modestly successful.

The New Yorker

Their first attempt failed.

The New York Times

It's my first attempt at poetry.

The New Yorker

His first attempt at college didn't take.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "first attempt" to clearly indicate the initial effort in a series of actions or trials. For example, "The project failed on its first attempt, but succeeded after revisions."

Common error

Avoid using "first attempt" without clearly establishing what the attempt refers to. Provide sufficient context to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first attempt" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes the initial effort or try at achieving a specific goal or task. Ludwig AI confirms the expression is acceptable and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

31%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "first attempt" is a commonly used noun phrase signifying the initial try at something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a perfectly acceptable and usable expression in written English across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. When using "first attempt", ensure clarity by providing sufficient context to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "initial try" or "maiden effort" exist, "first attempt" offers a straightforward and universally understood way to denote the beginning of an endeavor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial try

Replaces "attempt" with the synonym "try", emphasizing the act of trying.

first try

Emphasizes the action of 'trying' rather than the more formal 'attempt'.

first endeavor

Substitutes "attempt" with the more formal "endeavor".

primary attempt

Highlights the initial nature of the attempt.

earliest attempt

Emphasizes the timing of the attempt, indicating it's the first in a series.

maiden effort

Uses "maiden" to denote the first or inaugural nature of the effort.

inaugural effort

Uses "inaugural" to denote the beginning or initiation of an effort.

preliminary endeavor

Emphasizes the exploratory or preparatory nature of the initial attempt.

initial undertaking

Highlights the beginning of a project or task.

opening gambit

Suggests the initial move or strategy in a situation, often competitive.

FAQs

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

You can use "first attempt" to describe the initial try at something, like, "Her "first attempt" at painting was surprisingly good."

What are some alternatives to saying "first attempt"?

Alternatives include "initial try", "maiden effort", or "preliminary endeavor" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "at first attempt"?

While understandable, "at first attempt" is less common and idiomatic than simply "on the "first attempt"".

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

"First attempt" refers to the very first try, while "second attempt" refers to the next try after the first one.