the fourth attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

"the fourth attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a fourth attempt at something for example: After three failed attempts, the fourth attempt at baking a cake was successful.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It was the fourth attempt.

The New Yorker

I got in at the fourth attempt.

The Guardian - Sport

He won the presidency at the fourth attempt.

The Economist

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

The Guardian

At the fourth attempt, opposition lawmakers balked, prompting Mr. Sócrates to resign.

The New York Times

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

The Guardian - Sport

He looks to have got his eye in, at the fourth attempt.

The Guardian - Sport

The attack was at least the fourth attempt on his life since 2003.

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

This is the fourth attempt to install electronic slot machines, or video lottery terminals, at Aqueduct since 2001.

The New York Times

Applause broke out in Mission Control after the fourth attempt, when the mast was finally latched firmly.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the fourth attempt" to clearly indicate a specific repetition of an action, especially when previous attempts have failed or are relevant to the context. It adds precision and emphasis to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "the fourth attempt" when simply indicating something happened four times. This phrase implies a sequence of attempts, not merely a count of occurrences. For instance, don't say "the fourth attempt I ate pizza this week" unless you're implying failed prior pizza-eating endeavors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the fourth attempt" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to a specific instance of trying something for the fourth time, often implying previous unsuccessful tries. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English, often found within news, media and science contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the fourth attempt" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as validated by Ludwig AI, that signifies a specific instance of trying something for the fourth time. It's commonly employed in contexts such as news reporting, scientific publications, and formal business communications to highlight persistence, difficulty, or eventual success. While the phrase is generally considered neutral in tone, it is essential to differentiate it from phrases indicating frequency, ensuring accurate conveyance of the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

The fourth try

Replaces "attempt" with the simpler word "try", maintaining the same meaning.

For the fourth time

A more direct and literal way of expressing the same concept.

On the fourth go

Uses the informal term "go" instead of "attempt", suitable for less formal contexts.

In the fourth endeavor

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

After three previous tries

Emphasizes the preceding unsuccessful attempts, providing context.

The team's fourth bid

Implies a structured or official attempt, often used in competitive contexts.

Following three failures

Directly acknowledges the previous unsuccessful attempts.

At the next effort

Highlights that the next effort is happening, can also refer to another attempt out of order.

With the fourth action

It refers to a specific action that is being taken for the fourth time.

The ultimate effort

Suggests a final or decisive attempt, with the implication that it's the last one.

FAQs

How can I use "the fourth attempt" in a sentence?

You can use "the fourth attempt" to describe a situation where someone is trying something for the fourth time, especially after previous failures. For example, "After three failed starts, the engine finally roared to life on "the fourth attempt"".

What's the difference between "the fourth attempt" and "the fourth time"?

"The fourth attempt" implies a series of tries to achieve something, often after failures. "The fourth time" simply means something has occurred four times, without necessarily implying a struggle or previous failures. For example, "He succeeded on "the fourth attempt"", versus "This is the fourth time he has visited this year".

What are some alternatives to "the fourth attempt"?

Alternatives include phrases like "the fourth try", "on the fourth go", or "after three previous tries", depending on the context and level of formality you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to mention the previous attempts when using "the fourth attempt"?

While it's not strictly necessary, the phrase "the fourth attempt" strongly implies that there were three previous attempts. If those attempts are irrelevant, it might be better to use a different phrase that doesn't suggest a sequence of tries.