on a first try

USAGE SUMMARY

"on a first try" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an attempt at doing something, for example: "He managed to successfully complete the puzzle on a first try".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Food

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

A cauliflower gratin was wetter than bisque on a first try, nearly as dry as gravel on a second one.

The New York Times - Food

Danny Brough laid on a first try for Aaron Murphy with a tantalising long pass that sucked Dom Manfredi out of position.

The Guardian - Sport

The four-cheese ravioli, plump and firm on a first try, were limp and runny on another, unraveling and oozing when they weren't supposed to.

The New York Times - Food

The Rosetta technology did this, basically, on a first try.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The apple-berry crisp that we liked one night was served microwave-hot on a second try.

The New York Times

His client had trouble with one seven-hour polygraph test administered last week, but did better on a second try.

The New York Times

On a second try, to 5 minutes.

The New York Times

On a second try, he slashed his exit from the tiny cockpit to 11 seconds.

The New York Times

He pondered whether, on a second try, he would take steps to make the beer drier.

The New York Times - Food

Even dishes that impressed the first time around failed on a second try.

The New York Times

On a second try, it came with a better partner: vanilla ice cream.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on a first try" to highlight a successful outcome achieved with minimal effort or previous experience.

Common error

Avoid using "on a first try" in highly formal or academic writing; opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "at the initial attempt" or "in the first instance."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on a first try" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating the manner in which an action was performed. It describes the condition of achieving something successfully in the initial attempt. Ludwig AI shows examples in various contexts, highlighting its versatility.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Food

8%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Sport

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on a first try" is a correct and usable prepositional phrase in English, albeit with a relatively low frequency of use, as indicated by Ludwig AI. It functions as an adverbial phrase to emphasize success in an initial attempt. While grammatically sound, it is best suited for neutral contexts and should be used sparingly in formal writing. Alternatives such as "at the initial attempt" or "in the first instance" may be more appropriate for formal settings. Remember to use it to highlight ease or skill.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the first attempt

Replaces 'try' with 'attempt', offering a slightly more formal tone.

on the initial attempt

Substitutes 'first' with 'initial', emphasizing the beginning nature of the attempt.

on the first go

Uses a more informal term 'go' instead of 'try'.

upon the first endeavor

Replaces 'try' with 'endeavor', adding a touch of formality.

from the get-go

An informal idiom emphasizing the starting point.

at the outset

Uses a more concise expression to mean from the beginning.

in the first instance

Offers a more formal and slightly distanced way of saying the same thing.

at first blush

Implies an initial impression or attempt.

on its maiden voyage

Metaphorically uses a nautical term to describe an initial attempt.

initially

A single-word adverb replacing the entire phrase.

FAQs

How can I use "on a first try" in a sentence?

You can use "on a first try" to describe an action that was successful the first time it was attempted, for example: "He solved the puzzle "on a first try"".

What's a more formal alternative to "on a first try"?

For more formal writing, consider using phrases like "at the initial attempt" or "in the first instance" instead of "on a first try".

Is it okay to use "on the first go" instead of "on a first try"?

"On the first go" is a more informal version of "on a first try". While acceptable in casual conversation, it may not be appropriate for formal writing.

What does "on a first try" imply about the achievement?

Using "on a first try" suggests that the task was completed successfully with little or no prior experience or repeated attempts, highlighting the ease or skill involved.