three goes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "three goes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the number of attempts or tries someone has made at something. Example: "After three goes at solving the puzzle, I finally figured it out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Problem Set Three goes out today.

Stanford University

After "two or three goes," she said, she was accepted at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London.

The New York Times

"I've had three goes [on Postponed] and each time there's been no gallop which is not ideal.

The Guardian - Sport

Trainee teachers can resit basic literacy and numeracy tests as often as they like and 13% need at least three goes at the latter.

The Economist

The result is remarkable enough to make it seem a shame that it took the course designer, Hermann Tilke, three goes to get it right.

The Guardian - Sport

Because there is a 9.748% chance you'll get a second go; a 0.9503% chance you'll get three goes; 0.09264% four goes; 0.009031% five and so on.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Another three went to Germany.

The New York Times

Step Three, go back to Step One.

The New York Times

All three went on to win.

The New York Times

All three went through a transformation.

The New York Times - Sports

All three went right by underneath me.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "three goes" when referring to multiple attempts or turns, especially in informal contexts where a more casual tone is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "goes" in highly formal or technical writing. Opt for more precise terms like "attempts", "iterations", or "trials" for clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "three goes" functions as a quantifier plus noun construction, specifying the number of attempts or tries. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in English, particularly in less formal settings.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

12%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "three goes" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that something has been attempted three times. As Ludwig AI points out, it is considered acceptable in standard English, though its informal tone makes it more appropriate for casual conversation and writing than for highly formal or technical contexts. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, with occasional use in academic and wiki sources. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "three attempts" or "three iterations" to maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

three attempts

Replaces "goes" with a more formal term, "attempts", emphasizing the act of trying.

three tries

Substitutes "goes" with "tries", a more colloquial synonym, keeping the meaning consistent.

three attempts at it

Adds "at it" for clarity, specifying that the attempts are directed towards a particular task.

three tries at that

Uses "tries" instead of "goes" and "at that" to refer to a specific action or goal.

three turns

Replaces "goes" with "turns", indicating a sequence of actions or opportunities.

three rounds

Uses "rounds" to suggest a series of repeated actions or stages in a process.

three iterations

Employs "iterations", a more technical term suggesting a cycle of refinement or repetition.

three stages

Refers to distinct phases or steps within a process, rather than attempts.

three instances

Focuses on the number of occurrences or examples of something, rather than attempts.

triple play

Uses a baseball term, "triple play", suggesting a coordinated sequence of actions or attempts (may not be interchangeable in all contexts).

FAQs

How can I use "three goes" in a sentence?

You can use "three goes" to indicate that someone has attempted something three times, as in "It took "three goes to find" an open window and escape".

What are some alternatives to "three goes"?

Alternatives include "three attempts", "three tries", or "three turns", depending on the context. Each alternative offers a slightly different nuance while conveying the same basic idea of repetition.

Is "three goes" grammatically correct?

Yes, "three goes" is grammatically correct in informal English. While it might not be suitable for formal writing, it's perfectly acceptable in conversational or less formal contexts.

When is it better to use "three attempts" instead of "three goes"?

"Three attempts" is generally preferred in formal writing or technical contexts where precision is crucial. "Three goes" is more casual and suitable for informal conversation or writing.