make a first attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make a first attempt" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to try something for the first time or to make an initial effort. It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as trying a new activity, attempting a goal, or tackling a problem. Examples: - I decided to make a first attempt at painting, despite having no prior experience. - The team made a first attempt at solving the math problem, but they had to try again. - She made a first attempt at cooking dinner for the family, and it turned out surprisingly well. - The lawyer advised his client to make a first attempt at settling the dispute before taking legal action. - Despite the difficult conditions, the climbers were determined to make a first attempt at reaching the summit.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Motivated by the above discussion, we here make a first attempt to arrive at results on the invariant sets and attracting sets of impulsive stochastic difference equations.

Advances in Difference Equations

Motivated by the above discussion, we here make a first attempt to arrive at results on the global exponential stability of impulsive difference equations with distributed delays.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Using anomalous (and viscous) hydrodynamic simulations, we make a first attempt at quantifying contributions to observed charge correlations from both CME and background effects in one and same framework.

Physics Letters B

This paper aims to fill this gap by providing such information about the developments of Japanese transport planning schemes at the national level including transport master plans in the English language, and to make a first attempt to analyze interplays between natural disasters, which happens frequently in Japan, and transport planning.

European Transport Research Review

Due to the workload on Wright at the time, Gerrold offered to make a first attempt at the re-write with the intention of removing the homosexual characters.

Wikipedia

Here we make a first attempt to characterize the potential macroevolutionary role of recombination rate in shaping plant genomes.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

* Pilots decided to make a second attempt after engineers had examined the plane.

Independent

The Patriots are expected to make a second attempt to get Vital soon.

The New York Times - Sports

He will now make a fourth attempt on the Australian race, in which he has been second twice.

The Guardian - Sport

Predictably, and despite scrupulous patience, the nurse proceeds to "blow" two veins, much to his dismay, before he asks another nurse to make a third attempt, which succeeds.

The New York Times

He did not make a second attempt to tag Lawrie after the runner came off the bag.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make a first attempt", ensure the context clarifies what subsequent attempts might entail or why this initial effort is significant. This provides a clearer understanding of the overall process or goal.

Common error

Avoid using "make a first attempt" when the context suggests there will be no follow-up. If it is simply a one-time try, consider using more decisive language like "attempt" or "try" without the "first" qualifier.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a first attempt" functions as a verb phrase indicating the initiation of an action or task. As confirmed by Ludwig, it suggests an initial effort with the potential for subsequent attempts. For example, "We here make a first attempt to arrive at results..."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make a first attempt" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that signals the initiation of an action, with the understanding that it is the first in a series of potential tries. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical validity and provides numerous examples from diverse sources, with emphasis in Science and News. While alternatives like "try for the first time" exist, "make a first attempt" specifies the iterative nature of the process. When using this phrase, it's beneficial to ensure that the context clarifies the possibility of follow-up attempts to avoid misleading the reader. Remember that this expression is suitable for neutral to formal communication, reflecting the style of the majority of authoritative sources examined.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try for the first time

Simplifies the phrase, highlighting the novelty of the action.

make a preliminary effort

Stresses the preparatory and potentially incomplete nature of the effort.

take a first stab at

Replaces "make" and "attempt" with more informal synonyms, suggesting an initial and possibly imperfect try.

start with a first attempt

Emphasizes the beginning of a series of attempts, where this is just the first.

give it a first shot

Emphasizes the trial aspect using "shot", suitable for situations where success isn't guaranteed.

begin an initial effort

Highlights the start of a process, emphasizing the preliminary nature of the endeavor.

initiate an attempt

Formalizes the phrase, suitable for official or technical contexts.

launch a first endeavor

Uses "launch" to suggest a proactive and potentially ambitious start.

undertake an initial trial

Formal and emphasizes testing or experimentation.

venture a first try

Suggests a slightly risky or uncertain beginning.

FAQs

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

You can use "make a first attempt" to describe beginning an action or task. For example, "The team will "make a first attempt" to climb the mountain tomorrow."

What are some alternatives to "make a first attempt"?

Alternatives include "try for the first time", "take a first stab at", or "begin an initial effort", depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "make a first attempt"?

While not strictly redundant, using "first" emphasizes the beginning of a potential series of tries. If only one attempt is planned, consider using simply "attempt".

What is the difference between "make a first attempt" and "attempt"?

"Attempt" generally means to try to do something. "Make a first attempt" specifies that this is the initial effort in a possible series of attempts. For instance, you could "make a first attempt" and then "make a second attempt" if the first fails.