first time I tried

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first time I tried" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a particular past instance of trying something for the first time. For example: "The first time I tried skiing, I fell down immediately!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

-- the first time I tried them.

The New York Times - Arts

The first time I tried, I did everything wrong.

The New York Times - Food

The first time I tried it, I was in college.

The New York Times - Food

It's like the first time I tried hard contact lenses.

The Guardian - Film

"The first time I tried rapping I was 18.

The Guardian - Music

"First time I tried it, it didn't happen.

The Guardian - Music

This was really the first time I tried to break the record," Rudisha said.

Independent

Don't even go there.' The first time I tried it, I didn't think it was working.

The New York Times

The first time I tried smoking I was 11 or 12.

The New York Times

The first time I tried it, I achieved the lightest, most ethereal mayonnaise I'd ever made.

The New York Times - Food

The first time I tried it on with British Airways, I got bumped.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "first time I tried" to clearly indicate a past experience where you initially engaged with something. This helps establish context and provides a reference point for subsequent experiences or changes in perspective.

Common error

Ensure that the subject of your attempt is clear. Avoid vague sentences like "The first time I tried, it didn't work", instead specify what "it" refers to: "The first time I tried baking bread, it didn't work".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first time I tried" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating when an action occurred. It introduces a past event, setting the stage for a narrative or explanation, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "first time I tried" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an initial experience or attempt. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. It functions as an adverbial phrase, providing context and framing narratives across various registers, primarily in news and media. While alternatives like "on my first attempt" or "when I first attempted" exist, "first time I tried" offers a versatile and widely understood way to specify the beginning of a personal experience. Remember to clearly specify what was tried to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on my first attempt

A straightforward and neutral way of expressing the first try.

when I first attempted

Focuses on the act of attempting, highlighting the initial effort.

my initial experience

Emphasizes the overall feeling and learning from the beginning.

at the beginning when I tried

Highlights the starting point of the experience.

the first occasion I experimented with

Highlights a sense of experimentation and discovery.

when I initially tested

Focuses on testing or evaluating something for the first time.

my first go at

Informal way of saying 'first attempt'.

when I gave it a shot for the first time

Emphasizes giving something a chance or opportunity.

the debut attempt

More formal, emphasizing the newness and the first try.

initially, when I ventured into

Suggests exploration or risk-taking in the first attempt.

FAQs

How can I use "first time I tried" in a sentence?

You can use "first time I tried" to describe an initial experience, for example, "The "first time I tried" surfing, I wiped out immediately".

What are some alternatives to "first time I tried"?

You could use phrases like "on my first attempt", "when I first attempted", or "my initial experience" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the first time I tried" or "my first time trying"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different emphasis. "The "first time I tried" focuses on a specific instance, while "my first time trying" emphasizes the general experience.

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

"First time I tried" implies an active effort or attempt, whereas "first time I experienced" suggests a passive reception or encounter. Use "first time I tried" when you actively engaged in something, and "first time I experienced" when something happened to you.