on the fourth attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on the fourth attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was achieved after trying three times before. Example: "She finally solved the puzzle on the fourth attempt, much to her relief."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

According to his family, Meat-Meat jumped down a few steps in the direction of Dozier, and in a split second, the cop opened fire, shooting three times before his gun jammed on the fourth attempt.

Vice

A single patient was not successfully intubated on the fourth attempt (three failed attempts with direct laryngoscopy, then one failed attempt with a GlideScope).

BMC Anesthesiology

On the fourth attempt, the Russian-built airliner crashed.

The Guardian

And on the fourth attempt Nadal closes it out as Dimitrov misses his target.

The Guardian - Sport

The first, second or third tries may be fruitless, but usually on the fourth attempt the snail-eater will win.

The New York Times

Riou circled repeatedly to retrieve the skipper from the water and on the fourth attempt he successfully rescued Le Cam.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 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

He bounced the first one off the rim and failed to hit anything on the second attempt.

The New York Times - Sports

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

British Medical Journal

Kevin Mirallas finished a sweeping move on the second attempt to double the lead in a one-sided first half.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on the fourth attempt" to clearly indicate that success was achieved after three previous unsuccessful tries. This specificity can add emphasis to the difficulty or persistence involved.

Common error

Avoid using "on the fourth attempt" when the number of attempts is irrelevant or unknown. If the number of tries isn't important, a phrase like "after several attempts" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the fourth attempt" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating the specific circumstance or timing of an action. It specifies that something occurred during or as a result of the fourth try. Ludwig confirms that this usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on the fourth attempt" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adverbial phrase that specifies the timing of an action after three prior unsuccessful tries. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts and serves to emphasize persistence or difficulty. According to Ludwig, the phrase follows standard grammar rules and is acceptable for use. While variations exist, like "after four tries", the original phrase offers a specific and clear indication of the sequence of events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after four tries

This alternative uses a simpler structure with "after" and "tries" replacing "on the fourth attempt".

at the fourth try

This alternative substitutes "on" with "at" and retains the core meaning with a slight variation in preposition usage.

following three failures

This alternative directly states the failures before the success, emphasizing the preceding unsuccessful attempts.

on the occasion of the fourth endeavor

This is a more formal and elaborate way of saying "on the fourth attempt", using "occasion" and "endeavor" for a more sophisticated tone.

after numerous failed attempts

This phrase replaces the specific number with a general term, indicating multiple failures without specifying the exact count.

with the fourth effort

This alternative focuses on the effort made during the fourth attempt.

in the fourth instance

This phrase is more formal and uses "instance" to refer to the attempt.

on its fourth iteration

This alternative uses "iteration", implying a process of refinement or repetition.

after repeated setbacks

This generalizes the situation to include several setbacks before the final success.

finally succeeding after three previous attempts

This alternative explicitly mentions the success and contrasts it with the preceding failures.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "on the fourth attempt" to sound more formal?

You could use phrases like "on the occasion of the fourth endeavor" or "in the fourth instance" for a more formal tone. However, consider your audience to ensure the language remains appropriate.

What are some alternatives to "on the fourth attempt" that don't specify the number of tries?

If the exact number isn't crucial, you can use alternatives like "after several attempts", "after numerous tries", or "following repeated failures".

Is it grammatically correct to say "at the fourth attempt" instead of "on the fourth attempt"?

While "at the fourth try" is understandable, "on the fourth attempt" is the more standard and widely accepted prepositional usage. Both are similar in meaning, but "on" is generally preferred.

When should I use "on the fourth attempt" versus "after four attempts"?

"On the fourth attempt" often emphasizes a specific successful try among a series of failures, whereas "after four attempts" simply indicates the completion of four tries, without necessarily highlighting the success on the last try. The nuance depends on the context.