in one try

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in one try" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize success or completion of a task on the first attempt. For example, "I managed to finish the crossword puzzle in one try!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Nearly every segment was shot in one try.

The New Yorker

NBC selected "Whoopi" for an opportunity behind "Will & Grace" Thursday because it did well there in one try before the official season started.

The New York Times

While some students are able to pass the qualifying exam in one try, passing the exam early is mainly an indication that a student has attended an undergraduate university with a broad undergraduate program in mathematics.

Harvard University

We commoners live in the real world: We must plunk down our own money, ask the product to work with our other gizmos, and — tee hee ��� succeed in one try or live with the consequences.

The New York Times - Tech

One lady refused to "go under" on the grounds that she was Dr. Polgar's subject; another, he was trying to have fall backward, said the only made her dizzy The colored man he put under in one try, and was also successful with an under-sized man.

The New Yorker

Through Streem's technology, service pros can capture information, take measurements and save notes without ever stepping foot in the client's home, letting them offer quotes much faster and solve the problem in one try.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

England, in the two games that counted, managed just one try in more than 160 minutes.

The Guardian - Sport

But why did no one try in the 1990s?

The Economist

One try in life to get it right, I thought.

Huffington Post

Because, you know, in math, one tries to justify everything to prove theorems.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"In Cambodia, one tries to impose order where one can," Gauntlett says with a shrug.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in one try" to highlight efficiency or a stroke of luck in completing a task successfully the first time.

Common error

Avoid using "in one try" in highly formal or academic writing; opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "on the first attempt" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in one try" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the manner in which an action was performed. It specifies that the action was completed successfully on the first attempt. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

21%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in one try" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate that something was accomplished successfully on the first attempt. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's suitable for a variety of contexts, especially in news, media and informal communication.

While perfectly acceptable, it might be too informal for strictly professional or academic writing. In such situations, alternatives such as "on the first attempt" would be a better fit. Understanding these subtleties allows for more effective and nuanced communication.

The phrase's primary function is to highlight efficiency or skill, emphasizing success with minimal effort. By understanding its usage patterns and potential alternatives, writers can use "in one try" effectively to add emphasis to their message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the first attempt

Replaces "try" with the more formal "attempt", emphasizing the single effort.

in a single attempt

Emphasizes the singularity of the attempt using "single".

at the first go

Uses the informal term "go" to mean attempt, suitable for less formal contexts.

with one shot

Uses "shot" metaphorically to represent an attempt, implying a chance or opportunity.

on the first take

Borrowing from film terminology, it suggests a successful initial recording.

at first blush

Implies immediate success without further refinement or effort.

in one fell swoop

Suggests completing something quickly and efficiently in a single action.

straight away

Indicates that something is done immediately and successfully.

right off the bat

American idiom meaning immediately or from the beginning.

without a second thought

Emphasizes the ease and decisiveness with which something is achieved.

FAQs

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

You can use "in one try" to indicate that something was accomplished successfully on the first attempt. For example, "She passed the exam "in one try"".

What's a more formal way to say "in one try"?

A more formal alternative to "in one try" is "on the first attempt". This phrase is suitable for academic or professional contexts.

Is it correct to say "at one try" instead of "in one try"?

No, the correct and idiomatic expression is "in one try". The preposition "in" is used to indicate the means or manner of achieving something.

What does it mean when someone says they did something "in one try"?

It means they succeeded at something the very first time they attempted it, without needing any further attempts.