on the first attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on the first attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that you completed something or achieved something on your first attempt. For example, "I was able to solve the puzzle on the first attempt."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In all cases except one, the King LT® was placed on the first attempt.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

The King LT was successfully placed on the first attempt in all but one case.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

On the first attempt, he was denounced by one of the group and didn't even get away from the coast.

Huffington Post

We based the main analyses on the first attempt by any means or by one of our seven specific methods.

British Medical Journal

Applicants must pass USMLE Step 1 on the first attempt.

Yale University

Passed USMLE Step I & II on the first attempt.

Yale University

Fifty sites were successfully repaired endoscopically on the first attempt.

Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

Comment on the first attempt at night sky writing.

The New Yorker

But few make the ship on the first attempt.

The Guardian

Applicants must pass COMLEX step 1 and step 2 on the first attempt.

Yale University

In this paper, we report on the first attempt at fabrication of such targets.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on the first attempt" to clearly highlight efficiency and competence. For example, "The surgeon successfully completed the complex procedure on the first attempt."

Common error

Avoid substituting "on" with "at" when describing a specific attempt. While "at the first try" is acceptable, "on the first attempt" is the more standard and widely recognized phrasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the first attempt" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the timing and manner in which an action was performed. Ludwig confirms the phrase's correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

34%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on the first attempt" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate immediate success or completion of a task without needing multiple tries. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, including science, news media, and academia. While "at the first try" is a valid alternative, "on the first attempt" maintains a slightly more formal tone. Remember to use it to highlight efficiency and competence, and avoid confusing "on" with "at" in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the first try

Changes the preposition "on" to "at", offering a slightly less formal alternative.

on the very first try

Adds emphasis to "first" using "very" and replaces the word "attempt" with the more informal "try".

on the initial try

Replaces "first" with "initial", emphasizing the beginning nature of the attempt.

on the very first go

Adds emphasis to "first" using "very" and replaces the word "attempt" with the more informal "go".

at the outset

Uses a more concise phrase indicating the beginning, removing the explicit mention of an "attempt".

initially

Simplifies the phrase to a single adverb, focusing on the timing of the success or failure.

upon the first endeavor

Replaces "attempt" with the more formal "endeavor", suitable for academic or professional contexts.

in the beginning

Indicates a general sense of something happening early but losing the sense of "attempt".

at first glance

While this refers to a first impression, it can also mean to succeed immediately, like the original phrase.

from the get-go

This idiom means from the very beginning, replacing the words "first attempt" with a colloquial expression.

FAQs

How can I use "on the first attempt" in a sentence?

You can use "on the first attempt" to describe a successful or unsuccessful initial try at something. For example, "She passed her driving test "on the first attempt"."

What are some alternatives to "on the first attempt"?

Alternatives include phrases like "at the first try", "on the initial try", or simply "initially", depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "on the first attempt" or "at the first try"?

"On the first attempt" tends to be slightly more formal and is generally preferred in professional or academic writing. "At the first try" is more conversational.

What does "on the first attempt" imply about the subject?

Using "on the first attempt" often implies a level of skill, competence, or luck. It suggests that the subject achieved something without needing multiple tries.