try a second time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "try a second time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to making another attempt at something after an initial failure or unsuccessful effort. Example: "After failing to solve the puzzle on my first attempt, I decided to try a second time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

When doctors suggested she try a second time, Ms. Gokhale began a search for other answers.

The New York Times

I could go back and try a second time, but I'd probably forget all over again.

The New York Times - Arts

Innokentii put himself in fate's hands: if the request was denied — let it go at that, don't try a second time.

The New Yorker

Despite the Senate setback, the government immediately announced it would try a second time to legislate the changes, setting the scene for Labor, the Greens and other groups to continue their campaign against "$100,000 degrees".

The Guardian

A hearing on whether the state can try a second time to execute a condemned killer has ended early with a judge saying arguments can be made through court filings.

The New York Times

Comparing the styles of the two sides, Douglas Reid, an aviation specialist at Queen's University business school in Kingston, Ontario, said that "Li has essentially played within the rules," while Cerberus has taken a more aggressive and more typically American approach, which he summed up as, "If you don't win the first time, change the law and try a second time".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"I'm going to wait and I'm going to try a sixth time.

The New York Times - Sports

The government has vowed to try a third time to deregulate fees.

The Guardian

Mr. Zelaya vowed to try a third time to re-enter Honduras.

The New York Times

I decided to try a third time on another visit, and the bartender got the flavors just right.

The New York Times

If I do the dive tomorrow and am not entirely well, then the burden of coming back to try a third time would be very difficult.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "try a second time", ensure the context clearly indicates what the initial attempt was and why a second attempt is being made for clarity and effectiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "try a second time" repeatedly in close proximity within your writing. Vary your language by incorporating synonyms such as "make a second attempt" or "give it another shot" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try a second time" functions as a verb phrase. It indicates the action of making another attempt at something, explicitly specifying that it is the second attempt. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "try a second time" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase that indicates making another attempt, specifically the second one, at something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's versatile enough for use across various contexts, although it appears most frequently in news and media. While perfectly acceptable, consider using alternatives such as "make a second attempt" or "give it another shot" to prevent repetition and add variety to your writing. Overall, this phrase is a clear and effective way to express the act of repeating an effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make a second attempt

Replaces "try" with "make an attempt", offering a slightly more formal tone.

try once more

Emphasizes the act of trying again, similar in tone and meaning.

attempt again

A concise alternative that emphasizes the repetition of the attempt.

give it another shot

Uses a more informal, idiomatic expression to convey the same meaning.

have another go

A British English idiom for trying again.

re-attempt

A single word alternative, more concise and formal.

try it over

Indicates restarting or redoing an action.

take another stab at it

Informal and idiomatic, suggesting a renewed effort.

try anew

Implies starting fresh with a new attempt.

try a repeat performance

Suggests trying to replicate a previous action, often in a performance context.

FAQs

How to use "try a second time" in a sentence?

The phrase "try a second time" indicates making another attempt after an initial effort. For example, "After the experiment failed, the scientists decided to "try a second time" with adjusted parameters".

What can I say instead of "try a second time"?

You can use alternatives like "make a second attempt", "give it another shot", or "attempt again" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "try a second time"?

Yes, "try a second time" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. It functions as a verb phrase indicating a repeated action.

What's the difference between "try a second time" and "try again"?

While both phrases mean to make another attempt, "try a second time" explicitly indicates that it's the second attempt, whereas "try again" simply suggests another try without specifying the number of attempts.