third attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "third attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the third time someone tries to do something or achieve a goal. Example: "After my third attempt to solve the puzzle, I finally figured it out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On the third attempt, he dislodged it.

The New Yorker

This will be his third attempt.

The New York Times

A third attempt was planned.

The New York Times

They succeeded at the third attempt.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's my third attempt at an Olympics.

The Guardian - Sport

This must be my third attempt.

The New York Times

11.25 The third attempt gets another strike.

The Guardian - Money

On his third attempt, in 1988, Mr. Lucas won.

The New York Times

This, in 2013, is her third attempt since 2007.

Independent

Jet Reaction is Brown's third attempt to make history.

The Guardian - Tech

The third attempt, the Fifteen Rebellion, was a serious affair.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a series of actions, use "third attempt" to clearly indicate the order of events, enhancing clarity and avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "trying hard" as a direct substitute for "third attempt". "Trying hard" describes effort, while "third attempt" specifies the sequence in a series of actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "third attempt" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It specifically indicates a sequential effort, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "third attempt" is a commonly used and grammatically sound noun phrase indicating the third try at something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It's found across various contexts, most frequently in news and media. While "third try" serves as an informal substitute, "trying hard" focuses on effort rather than sequence. When using "third attempt", clarity in indicating sequence is key to enhance understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

third try

A more informal alternative, directly substituting "attempt" with the simpler word "try".

third effort

Similar to "third attempt" but emphasizes the work and exertion put into the action.

third time

A shortened version, implying an attempt without explicitly stating it.

another attempt

Focuses on the act of trying again without specifying the numerical sequence.

repeated attempt

Highlights the recurring nature of the effort, suggesting persistence.

subsequent attempt

Indicates that the attempt follows a previous one, without specifying which number.

further attempt

Emphasizes continuation of effort, similar to 'subsequent' but slightly more general.

yet another attempt

Highlights frustration and potentially negative expectation in repeated efforts.

another go

An informal and colloquial alternative, often used in spoken English.

a third shot

Suggests a chance or opportunity to try something again.

FAQs

How is "third attempt" used in a sentence?

The phrase "third attempt" is typically used to indicate that someone is trying something for the third time. For example, "After two failed tries, she succeeded on her "third attempt"".

What are some alternatives to saying "third attempt"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "third try", "third effort", or "third time".

Is it correct to say "3rd attempt" instead of "third attempt"?

Both "third attempt" and "3rd attempt" are acceptable. "Third attempt" is more formal, while "3rd attempt" is often used in informal writing or notes.

What does it mean when someone says it's their "third attempt"?

It generally implies that the person has tried to do something on two previous occasions without success and is now making a "further attempt".