this first try

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this first try" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an initial attempt at something, often in a context where the outcome is being evaluated. Example: "I know this first try may not be perfect, but I believe it shows promise for improvement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

This first try at Muve may be a little offbeat, but you can still dance to it.

The New York Times

No doubt there'll be a larger model (there's a larger regular Kindle), but the current size will be appealing – if the device gets better than this first try.

The Guardian - Opinion

For later canoe paintings, he rented the video, took photographs of the scene, and worked from those, but on this first try he painted from memory, and the result is raw and unconvincing.

The New Yorker

Alas, no one appears to have done a serious statistical study of the rate at which he lies yet, so this first try at an estimated Trump lie counter is, by necessity, a crude one - but helpful, especially if it gets the media to stop fixating on the lies and focus on the real harm Trump is doing to the country with his new (lack of sensible) policies.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

If you're worried about the negative repercussions of taking this step, first try doing it at times when you're unlikely to be contacted -- maybe Sunday morning.

Huffington Post

I always had this rule: First try to survive.

BMC Health Services Research

Toward this, we first try to familiarize the reader with the aims of functional metagenomic analysis and the most commonly adopted publicly available tools and resources to achieve them.

Briefings in Bioinformatics

If you don't, follow this instructions: First, try to do a backbend on the wall.

WikiHow

If you can't get this trick first, try again, don't worry it takes practice.

WikiHow

To our knowledge this paper is the first trying to do a meta-analysis of pathway specific network structures across tumour entities.

Bioinformatics and Biology Insights

In this regard, we first try to get the following formulas asserted by Lemma 2 below.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this first try" when you want to emphasize that something is an initial attempt and should be evaluated as such. It's useful when setting expectations or explaining potential imperfections.

Common error

Avoid using "this first try" repeatedly in close proximity, as it can sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "initial attempt" or "preliminary effort" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this first try" functions as a determiner phrase modifying the noun "try". It specifies that the "try" being referred to is the initial one. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English, indicating its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this first try" is a grammatically sound and understandable way to refer to an initial attempt. While it is generally correct, according to Ludwig AI, it is important to consider the context and register of your writing. As it is used more frequently in the news and media, it can be used in more formal contexts for alternatives such as "initial attempt" or "preliminary study". Keep in mind how often you are using the phrase and replace it with something else for better text flow.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first attempt

Uses a more common and direct synonym for "try".

initial attempt

Replaces "try" with a more formal noun, focusing on the act of attempting.

first go

An informal and direct way to describe the first attempt.

preliminary effort

Highlights the exploratory nature of the attempt.

initial endeavor

A more formal synonym for "attempt", suitable for serious contexts.

test run

Implies the attempt is a trial to assess feasibility or performance.

first shot

An idiomatic alternative suggesting a single opportunity.

pilot study

Specifically refers to an initial study conducted before a larger-scale project.

maiden effort

Emphasizes the novelty and inexperience associated with the attempt.

opening gambit

Suggests a strategic first move in a series of actions.

FAQs

How can I use "this first try" in a sentence?

You can use "this first try" to refer to an initial attempt at something. For example, "I know "this first try" may not be perfect, but it's a good starting point."

What phrases are similar to "this first try"?

Alternatives include "initial attempt", "first attempt", or "preliminary effort". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "this first try" formal or informal?

"This first try" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. For more formal contexts, consider using "initial attempt" or "preliminary effort" instead.

Can I use "this first try" in academic writing?

While acceptable, it's often better to opt for more formal alternatives like "initial attempt" or "preliminary study" in academic writing, depending on the specific context.