Mastering "By the Second Attempt": A Simple Grammar Guide

Have you ever tried something, failed, and then succeeded quickly afterward? In English, we have a helpful adverbial phrase to describe this: "by the second attempt". This phrase is excellent for explaining quick progress or overcoming an initial hurdle. If you're an ESL learner looking to improve your fluency in English and understand how to describe 'when' something happens after an initial try, you're in the right place. Let's explore how to use this phrase naturally in your sentences.

Table of Contents

• What Does “by the second attempt” Mean?
• What Type of Adverbial Phrase Is “by the second attempt”?
• Example Sentences with “by the second attempt”
• When and How to Use “by the second attempt”
• Summary and Practice Tip

More: Mastering During the Night: Grammar Guide for ESL Learners

What Does “by the second attempt” Mean?

"By the second attempt" means that something was successfully completed, understood, or achieved after one unsuccessful try. It indicates completion or success at the point of the second try. It often implies a quick learning curve or overcoming a minor challenge. This phrase functions as an adverbial phrase of time, telling us when an action was completed relative to a specific number of tries.

More: Mastering During the Night: Grammar Guide for ESL Learners

What Type of Adverbial Phrase Is “by the second attempt”?

This is an adverbial phrase of time. It describes when something happened.

Its grammatical structure breaks down as follows:

• by: A preposition, indicating "not later than" or "at the time of."
• the: A definite article.
• second: An ordinal number, specifying the order of the try.
• attempt: A noun, referring to an effort or try.

The complete phrase modifies the main verb in the sentence, telling us the timing of the action.

This phrase usually comes at the end of a sentence. It can also appear at the beginning for emphasis, followed by a comma.

Here are some sample sentence patterns:

• Subject + Verb + [Adverbial Phrase]
  • She passed the test by the second attempt.
• [Adverbial Phrase], Subject + Verb
  • By the second attempt, he finally opened the jar.

More: Mastering 'For the Rest of the Week': A Simple Grammar Guide

Example Sentences with “by the second attempt”

Here are some natural-sounding examples of the phrase in context:

• The new student understood the complex instructions by the second attempt.
• After struggling with the puzzle, she solved it by the second attempt.

Here are some short dialogues:

• Person A: "Did you manage to fix the printer?"

• Person B: "Yes, I got it working by the second attempt."

• Person A: "That math problem was tough, wasn't it?"

• Person B: "Totally! But I grasped it by the second attempt."

When and How to Use “by the second attempt”

Use this phrase in situations where an initial try or effort was unsuccessful, but the goal was achieved on the very next try. It implies efficiency or quick mastery.

It's common in both informal and formal contexts. You can use it in everyday speech, emails, or when explaining a process. Examples include describing learning a new skill, fixing something, solving a problem, or passing an exam.

Common variations or related phrases include "on the second try" or "after the first failure," which carry similar meanings but are less formal or less concise. You can also vary the number, for example, "by the third attempt" or "by the fifth attempt," depending on how many tries it took.

Be aware of common mistakes or confusion:

• Wrong Preposition: Avoid "in the second attempt" or "on the second attempt" when you mean completion by that point. "By" suggests the latest point at which something happened. According to Cambridge Dictionary, the preposition "by" can indicate "not later than" or "at the time of," which explains its use here to mean completion at or before the second try.
• Word Order: Ensure the phrase is placed correctly to modify the verb it describes, usually at the end of the clause.
• Missing Article: Always include "the" before the ordinal number (e.g., "by the second attempt," not "by second attempt").

Summary and Practice Tip

The phrase "by the second attempt" is a clear and concise way to tell someone that a task or goal was achieved after one initial, unsuccessful try. It's an adverbial phrase of time, often placed at the end of a sentence. It helps to show quick progress or learning.

Now it's your turn! Try to write your own sentence using "by the second attempt" in the comments below. Share how you or someone you know achieved something quickly. You can also explore our other articles on common adverbial phrases to boost your English grammar skills!