may try again

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'may try again' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when someone fails to do something, and suggests that they should make another attempt. For example: "I didn't manage to finish the project on time, but I may try again tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

He may try again on Friday.

The Guardian - Business

Mr Sharon may try again to widen his coalition.

The Economist

Gov. Steven L. Beshear, a Democrat, has said he may try again.

The New York Times

If he succeeds he may try again, but if another stick moves the player loses his turn.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Senate's bill, designed to please all sides, ended up pleasing no one.Now Washington may try again.

The Economist

Mr Santana Lopes may try again, but it is not obvious that he would improve his party's prospects by winning.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

A person may thus not only try and fail, but may also try again in order to attain personal and professional goals.

BMC Health Services Research

Mr. Dyer, if I may: please try again — but this time with Murakami's fiction.

The New Yorker

The sponsors of that effort now say they may well try again, though the next opportunity for a vote would not come until November 2004.

The New York Times

The Prime Minister had little choice because, according to Israeli law, a party leader who fails to form a government in six weeks after the election may not try again.

The New Yorker

The two Arab countries most keenly arming the rebels, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, may also try again to pull the Western trio in.In this section If this isn't a red line, what is?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "may try again" with a specific timeframe or condition to provide context. For example, "They may try again next quarter" or "She may try again if the regulations change".

Common error

Avoid using "may try again" excessively without providing context about the reason for the potential retrial. Always clarify why another attempt might be necessary or beneficial to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may try again" functions as a modal expression indicating a possibility or potential future action. According to Ludwig AI, it expresses that someone might make another attempt at something. It modifies the verb "try", adding a layer of uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

16%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase “may try again” is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate the possibility of a future attempt, particularly after a previous failure or lack of success. It functions as a modal expression, adding a layer of uncertainty to the verb "try". Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and broad applicability. The phrase maintains a neutral tone suitable for various contexts, including news, general discussions, and scientific publications, but is most frequently found in news and media sources. Consider providing specific context for why another attempt is possible to enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might attempt again

Replaces "may" with "might", suggesting a slightly lower probability.

may reattempt

A slightly more formal synonym for "try again".

might retry

A more concise and direct alternative.

could make another effort

Emphasizes the exertion of effort in a subsequent attempt.

may consider retrying

Implies a period of consideration before attempting again.

could give it another shot

Uses a more informal idiom, implying a second attempt.

could try once more

Emphasizes that this is potentially the last attempt.

might have another go

Uses a British idiom to express a second attempt.

might take another stab

An informal expression implying another attempt, possibly at something difficult.

may seek a rematch

Suggests a competitive context where a previous attempt was unsuccessful.

FAQs

How can I use "may try again" in a sentence?

You can use "may try again" to indicate a possibility of a future attempt, for example: "The company "may try again" to acquire the smaller firm next year".

What does "may try again" imply about the previous attempt?

"May try again" suggests that the previous attempt was not entirely successful, prompting the consideration of a subsequent attempt.

What are some alternative phrases to "may try again"?

Alternatives to "may try again" include phrases like "might attempt again", "could give it another shot", or "might retry".

Is "may try again" formal or informal?

"May try again" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language.