on the very first try

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on the very first try" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize how quickly or easily someone completed a task. For example: John solved the riddle on the very first try!.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"We could have done it on the very first try," said Vilen, face deadpan.

The New York Times - Magazine

I had absolutely no difficulty getting all the answers I needed and all the forms to fill out on the very first try.

The New York Times

One of the most complex tasks required to make the lunar landing possible was the unprecedented feat of navigation required to guide a craft through a round-trip of more than a half-million miles, and to achieve a controlled, precise landing on the lunar surface on the very first try -- there was no fuel available for a wave-off and another attempt.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Using fairly standard computer algorithms, the duo predicted the first five digits of Social Security numbers for people born after 1989 44% of the time on the very first try.

Science Magazine

Not to mention confidently getting the scanner to register the code on the very first try.

Huffington Post

The euphoria was in part because this discovery was made on the very first try in the very first well.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

And they all swiped through the turnstile on their very first try.

The New Yorker

Not many people have been on the verge of catching a Greenland shark on their very first try.

Vice

I recently became pregnant — on my very first try.

The New York Times

I could still remember how Fitzbaum had grinned when I solved it on my very first try.

The New Yorker

'You can always go to law school". Soon Whaley and her mom were on their way to Sweetwater, Texas, where Whaley secured her Tour card on her very first try.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on the very first try" to emphasize efficiency or skill in completing a task. For instance, instead of saying someone passed a test easily, stating they passed "on the very first try" underscores their competence.

Common error

Avoid using "on the very first try" excessively in formal or academic writing, where it may sound too informal. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "successfully on the initial attempt" or "at the first attempt" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the very first try" functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb to indicate the timing and manner of an action's success. Ludwig's examples show it commonly emphasizes ease or quickness of achievement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on the very first try" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to highlight efficiency and skill. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various domains, particularly in news and media. While suitable for general communication, it might be too informal for strict academic or scientific contexts, where alternatives like "at the initial attempt" are preferable. To maintain clarity and professionalism, avoid overuse and consider the audience when incorporating this phrase in writing. This careful usage ensures your writing remains both effective and appropriately toned.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the very first time

Focuses on the timing, specifying that something happens during the debut.

at the first attempt

Replaces "try" with "attempt", focusing on the action of trying.

on the initial attempt

Uses "initial" instead of "very first", highlighting the beginning nature of the attempt.

at the first go

Uses "go" as a more informal substitute for "try" or "attempt".

on the first shot

Emphasizes a single opportunity or chance for success.

without a second attempt

Highlights the lack of need for further attempts.

right away

Focuses on the immediacy and speed of the success.

on debut

Implies that success was achieved in something's inaugural appearance.

at once

Emphasizes the immediate nature of the action and its success.

first time lucky

Expresses the idea of initial success with an element of luck or chance.

FAQs

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

You can use "on the very first try" to emphasize success or efficiency in completing a task. For example: "She solved the puzzle "on the very first try"!"

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

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "at the initial attempt" or "successfully on the first attempt" instead of "on the very first try".

Is it appropriate to use "on the very first try" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "on the very first try" might be considered too informal for strict academic writing. Consider using more formal alternatives to maintain a professional tone.

What does it mean when someone says they did something "on the very first try"?

It means they succeeded in completing a task or achieving a goal with only one attempt, indicating skill, efficiency, or luck.