upon first try

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upon first try" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the initial attempt at something, often implying that it was successful or noteworthy. Example: "I managed to solve the puzzle upon first try, which surprised everyone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The update also fixes bugs related to setting up a new iCloud account during the setup assistant, problems with audiobooks playing in the Music app, but may cause other issues, including the ability to send iMessages, which will sometimes fail upon first try.

TechCrunch

They may taste bitter upon first try, but they're not poison.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Second try, 11 seconds.

The New York Times

First try deep breathing.

WikiHow

First, try exfoliating.

WikiHow

First try twirling without throwing.

WikiHow

First try at market price.

WikiHow

Rather than trying to change their conscious thought processes, I first tried to get them to be aware of the effects upon their bodies of unconscious processes that lead to a chain reaction culminating in violence.

Huffington Post

Based on the boys' accusations, prosecutors first tried Mr. Chavis, who has also been charged with lewd and lascivious acts upon a child but denies abusing Alex.

The New York Times

We first tried to find matched clients.

BMC Health Services Research

Second, try now.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upon first try" to emphasize a surprising or unexpected success on the first attempt. For example, "She solved the complex equation upon first try, astonishing her colleagues."

Common error

Avoid simply using "on first try" as it is less formal and can sometimes sound awkward. "Upon" adds a touch of formality and emphasis, but ensure the context warrants it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon first try" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It indicates the timing and manner of an action, specifically that something was achieved or experienced during the initial attempt. Ludwig AI's analysis and examples from the provided data showcase its usage in describing the success or outcome of an initial effort.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upon first try" is a correct and usable phrase to emphasize the success or result of an initial attempt. While Ludwig AI indicates it's more formal than alternatives like "on the first try", it maintains a neutral tone suitable for news, media, and general content. Its purpose is to highlight immediacy, and it is often used to express surprise or a noteworthy achievement. Remember that, to make sure that you get the right formality, you can consider using alternatives such as "at the first attempt", "on the initial try", or "at the first go".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the first attempt

Replaces "upon" with "at" and uses the noun "attempt" instead of the verb "try", creating a slightly more formal tone.

on the first attempt

Similar to "at the first attempt", but uses "on" as the preposition.

on the initial try

Substitutes "first" with "initial" for a slight variation in emphasis.

at the first go

Uses the informal term "go" instead of "try", making the phrase more casual.

with the first attempt

Uses 'with' to introduce the manner in which something happened.

in the first instance

More formal and emphasizes the sequence of events.

on the first occasion

Replaces 'try' with 'occasion', focusing on the opportunity.

at the outset

Implies from the very beginning; suitable when emphasizing the starting point.

initially

A single-word adverb that conveys the idea of "at first".

from the get-go

An informal idiom that means "from the very beginning".

FAQs

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

You can use "upon first try" to highlight success or an unexpected outcome with an initial attempt. For example: "He passed the exam upon first try".

What are some alternatives to saying "upon first try"?

Alternatives include "at the first attempt", "on the initial try", or "at the first go", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it more formal to say "upon first try" compared to "on the first try"?

Yes, "upon first try" carries a slightly more formal tone than "on the first try". The preposition "upon" generally lends a more elevated style compared to "on".

What is the difference between "upon first try" and "initially"?

"Upon first try" emphasizes the immediate attempt, whereas "initially" simply means at the beginning. "Upon first try" implies a specific attempt, while "initially" can refer to a more general starting point.