first time I try

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first time I try" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express the experience of attempting something for the initial time. Example: "This is the first time I try baking a cake from scratch, and I'm excited to see how it turns out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The first time I try, the Domepod shoots off, and very hot water cascades over my hand.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It's the first time I try with a Chicken McNugget, but he doesn't eat it," said Lena, who usually buys sausages when she sees a stray.

The New Yorker

The first time I try to interview Roots Manuva, AKA British MC and producer Rodney Smith, there's a problem: he isn't actually there.

The Guardian - Music

When I get the students for the first time, I try to make the learning fun and accessible, to help them see how they are making progress, getting better and moving in the right direction.

The Guardian

When I encounter something for the first time I try to write about it in that manner.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

-- the first time I tried them.

The New York Times

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

"The first time I tried rapping I was 18.

The Guardian - Music

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

The Guardian - Music

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

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a sequence of attempts, use "first time I try" to clearly indicate the beginning and then use 'subsequent attempts' or 'later attempts' to differentiate from the initial experience.

Common error

Avoid switching tenses mid-sentence when describing the experience. For example, don't start with "the "first time I try"" (present) and then describe the outcome in the future tense without proper context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first time I try" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating the beginning of an experience or activity. It modifies a verb by specifying when an action occurs, similar to examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "first time I try" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for expressing an initial attempt or experience, as affirmed by Ludwig. It is most frequently found in News & Media contexts and has a neutral register. While not extremely common, as indicated by its "Rare" frequency, it serves the purpose of introducing narratives or explanations of new endeavors. When writing, ensure consistent tense usage and consider more formal alternatives like "my first attempt" for professional settings. Ludwig's examples offer further insight into its application across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

When I first tried

Shifts the focus to the past action of trying something for the first time.

My first attempt

More formal and emphasizes the personal aspect of the initial try.

First attempt

Focuses on the act of trying, omitting the personal pronoun.

Initial try

Emphasizes the beginning nature of the attempt with a more concise wording.

The first occasion I tried

Similar to the previous alternative but uses "occasion" which implies an event.

The first instance of me trying

A more verbose and formal way of expressing the beginning of an attempt.

My inaugural attempt

Replaces 'first' with 'inaugural' to add a touch of formality.

The debut try I made

Uses 'debut' to highlight the newness of the experience and rephrases the sentence structure.

The very first time I gave it a shot

Informal alternative that uses "gave it a shot" instead of "try".

When I ventured to try it for the first time

More descriptive and emphasizes the initial venture into trying something new.

FAQs

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

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "my first attempt", "the initial try", or "the first occasion I tried". These options often suit professional or academic contexts.

Is it correct to say "first time I try" or should I use "first time I tried"?

Both are grammatically correct depending on the context. Use "first time I try" to describe an ongoing or habitual action. Use "first time I tried" to refer to a completed action in the past. For example, "The first time I try a new recipe, I follow it closely" versus "The "first time I tried" to bake a cake, it was a disaster".

What's a more casual alternative to "first time I try"?

Informally, you could say "the first time I gave it a shot" or "when I first had a go at it". These are more conversational.

How to use "first time I try" in a sentence?

You can use "first time I try" when talking about trying or learning new things, or when referring to a repetitive action. For example: "The "first time I try" a new software, I usually watch a tutorial", "The "first time I try" to parallel park, I get nervous".