first time I attempted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first time I attempted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the initial effort or experience of trying something new or challenging. Example: "The first time I attempted to bake a cake, I forgot to add sugar, and it turned out terrible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Personally, I fell asleep within 25 minutes of episode one the first time I attempted it, although I wouldn't take this as too severe a rebuke.

Independent

In fact, it's a sobering thought that my son, Tim, is significantly older than I was the first time I attempted homebrewing back in 1975.

Independent

Even the recruitment process was more difficult than it had been when I was leaving university in 2003, the first time I attempted it.

The Guardian

The first time I attempted the local pleasantries, encountering an ancient sheep farmer in a tweed coat pockmarked with holes, I froze, wondering what I could possibly say after "Good day".

The New York Times - Travel

The first time I attempted to hire an intern I was pretty young- in my mid 20's.

Forbes

I ran into that issue the first time I attempted to play around with the first-generation Blocks system outside of a demo.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The first time I attempt it, I miss completely.

Huffington Post

The first time I attempt to tackle a blocking dummy, I miscalculate, slide across it and end up sprawled in the grass, mud caked on my yoga pants.

HuffPost

One of the first times I attempted body squats, I actually fell to the ground.

Huffington Post

Why didn't you learn the first or second time?" I attempted to respond, but he barked at me to stop ranting and pulled me towards the kitchen.

The Guardian - Opinion

This isn't the first time I've attempted to make candles.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a series of attempts, use "first time I attempted" to clearly mark the beginning and contrast it with subsequent efforts. This helps structure the narrative effectively.

Common error

Avoid passive constructions like "it was the first time it was attempted by me". Instead, stick to the active voice ("first time I attempted") for clarity and directness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first time I attempted" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It indicates when an action took place, specifying it was the initial occasion of trying something. Ludwig confirms the usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "first time I attempted" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for describing an initial effort. As Ludwig confirms, it is correct to use in a variety of writing. It's most commonly found in news articles and personal narratives, serving to set the context for a past experience. While the register is generally neutral, remember to use active voice for clarity. Alternative phrasing includes "my first try" or "initial attempt", depending on the desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my first try

Simplifies the structure to a more direct statement.

when I first tried

Changes the verb and slightly alters sentence flow.

initial attempt

Uses a noun phrase instead of a clause.

on my first attempt

Changes sentence structure making "attempt" a noun.

the first occasion I tried

Uses "occasion" instead of "time" for variety.

first endeavor

Replaces "attempted" with a synonym focusing on effort.

the first instance I tried

Adds emphasis on specific instance.

maiden effort

More formal, implying the first try at something.

first go at it

More informal and colloquial.

the beginning when I tried

Descriptive and rephrases the beginning moment.

FAQs

What's a good way to start a sentence with "first time I attempted"?

You can begin with "The first time I attempted," followed by the action you took, or phrase it as "It was the first time I attempted" to emphasize the experience.

How can I rephrase "first time I attempted" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using "on my "first attempt"" or "during my initial endeavor" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "first time I tried" or "first time I attempted"?

"First time I tried" is generally more informal and conversational. "First time I attempted" can be used in more formal contexts, but both are acceptable. Use the one that /s/first+time+I+tried best fits the tone of your writing.

What words often follow "first time I attempted"?

Common words following "first time I attempted" include verbs like "to bake", "to paint", "to drive", or any other action you are describing your initial effort in. For example: "The first time I attempted to bake a cake, I forgot the sugar."