on the first try

USAGE SUMMARY

"on the first try" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something was successful or accomplished on the first attempt. For example: "He nailed the presentation on the first try."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No one gets it right on the first try.

Harvard Business Review

Score one point for each word successfully repeated on the first try.

WikiHow

Taps usually register on the first try.

The New York Times - Tech

I passed on the first try.

The New York Times

I didn't land on the first try.

The New York Times

I was lucky on the first try.

The New York Times - Magazine

She aced it on the first try.

The New Yorker

Would they connect on the first try?

The New York Times - Tech

She passed on the first try.

The New York Times

It worked on the first try.

The New York Times

"He did it on the first try".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on the first try" to clearly and concisely convey that something was achieved successfully without needing additional attempts. This phrase adds emphasis to the efficiency or skill involved.

Common error

Avoid using "on the first try" when the situation implies repeated attempts are normal or expected. It's most effective when highlighting a surprising or impressive initial success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the first try" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate when and how an action was performed. As Ludwig AI explains, it emphasizes success with the initial attempt. For example, "She passed the test on the first try."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

24%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on the first try" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to emphasize that something was achieved successfully with the initial attempt. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, it frequently appears in News & Media and Wiki sources. While generally neutral in tone, its effectiveness lies in highlighting efficiency or skill. To avoid misuse, ensure it's applied where initial success is notable. Consider alternatives such as "at the first attempt" for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the first attempt

Replaces "try" with the more formal "attempt" while keeping the core meaning the same.

with the first attempt

Emphasizes the success achieved with the very first attempt.

successfully on the first attempt

Adds emphasis by explicitly stating "successfully".

on the very first try

Adds emphasis to "first" using the word "very".

on the initial go

Uses a more informal term, "go", to refer to an attempt.

at the first endeavor

Substitutes "try" with "endeavor", suggesting a more significant effort.

on its first attempt

Uses a possessive pronoun to indicate the subject's first attempt.

without a second attempt

Highlights the lack of need for a second try by mentioning it negatively.

on the opening attempt

Uses "opening" to specify that it was the initial try.

right off the bat

An idiomatic expression that means immediately or on the first attempt.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "on the first try" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use alternatives such as "at the first attempt" or "successfully on the initial attempt".

What does "on the first try" emphasize in a sentence?

The phrase "on the first try" emphasizes that the action was completed successfully without needing additional attempts. It highlights efficiency or skill.

Which situations are best suited for using the phrase "on the first try"?

The phrase "on the first try" is best suited for situations where initial success is notable or surprising. It adds emphasis to an action that might typically require multiple attempts.

What are some informal alternatives to "on the first try"?

Some informal alternatives include "right off the bat" or "on the first go".