retries

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "retries" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to attempts to do something again, often in technology or problem-solving scenarios. Example: "The system will automatically perform retries if the initial connection fails."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Tech

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

While a system is transmitting, it also listens, and if it detects a simultaneous transmission, it stops, waits for a random time, and retries.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In France the Cour de Cassation (the supreme court) hears appeals on the interpretation of the law, whereas the court of appeal retries cases on the issue of fact.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The court of appeals (Oberlandesgericht) retries cases both on issues of law and fact in civil matters and on issues of law only in criminal matters.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I prefer games that allow unlimited retries, but Sega made the mistake so many game developers have made: it didn't ask me what I wanted.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Since then, the courts have been preparing to retry more than 2,000 inmates.

The Economist

The Forrest County district attorney's office now has two prosecutors working full-time on an attempt to retry the case.

The Economist

Even if police genuinely believe he committed the burglary in question, double jeopardy prevents them from retrying him.

The Economist

The courts do not retry cases or hear new evidence.

The Economist

To reassure investors, Mr Ghani has promised a crackdown on corruption; he has already announced a plan to retry the main accused in the country's biggest scam, the theft of almost a billion dollars from Kabul Bank.

The Economist

The American air force wants a space vehicle that could fly in or out of the atmosphere and deploy or attack satellites.Abort, retry, fail?Wait a moment, the sceptics will say.

The Economist

Ms Gillard had to be shielded from the group as she was hurriedly escorted out of the building by security officers and bundled into a waiting car.Bedouin tribesmen released 25 Chinese workers they had kidnapped in Egypt's Sinai region, after the Egyptian government agreed to retry relatives of the tribesmen who have been imprisoned for a bomb attack in 2004.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing technical systems, use "retries" to specifically indicate automated or programmed attempts to re-establish a connection or process after a failure. For example: "The software includes automatic retries after a network interruption".

Common error

Avoid using "retries" in general situations where simpler terms like "attempts" or "tries" would be more appropriate. Overusing technical jargon can make your writing sound stilted or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "retries" is as a plural noun, referring to multiple instances of attempting something again. It can also function as the third-person singular present tense of the verb 'retry'. Ludwig indicates that the word is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "retries" is a grammatically sound term, primarily functioning as a plural noun or a verb form, best suited for technical and formal contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It's less frequent in general usage, with its primary purpose being to describe automated or systematic attempts after an initial failure. While acceptable, it should be used judiciously to avoid sounding overly technical in non-technical writing. Alternatives like "attempts" or "repeated tries" can provide a more accessible option.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reattempts

This alternative replaces "retries" with a more formal synonym, focusing on the act of attempting again.

second attempts

This alternative emphasizes the sequential nature of trying again, implying a previous failed attempt.

repeated tries

This alternative highlights the repetitive aspect of making multiple attempts.

further attempts

This emphasizes the continuation of efforts towards a goal.

iterative attempts

This suggests a process of successive approximations, often used in technical contexts.

repeated efforts

This shifts the focus from the act of trying to the exertion of effort.

subsequent attempts

Similar to "second attempts", but can refer to more than just the second try.

follow-up attempts

Implies that the attempts are a direct response to previous failures or issues.

redos

This is a more informal, concise way to say "retries".

re-dos

This is a less informal, concise way to say "retries".

FAQs

How can I use "retries" in a sentence?

You can use "retries" to refer to the number of attempts made to repeat an action, especially in technical contexts. For instance, "The system automatically handles "automatic retries" after a connection failure".

What are some alternatives to using "retries"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "attempts", "re-attempts", or "repeated tries".

Is it correct to use "retries" in a formal context?

Yes, "retries" is acceptable in formal contexts, especially when discussing technical specifications or system behaviors. However, ensure the tone and register of your writing align with the audience.

What is the difference between "retries" and "attempts"?

"Retries" often implies a programmed or automated repetition of an action, especially after a failure in a system or process. "Attempts" is a more general term for trying to do something, without necessarily implying a failure or technical context.