I was always trying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was always trying" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a continuous effort or attempt in the past. Example: "Throughout my childhood, I was always trying to impress my parents with my achievements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I was always trying to impress him.

Independent

"I was always trying to be thin".

The New Yorker

I was always trying to repurpose things.

The New York Times

"I was always trying to please.

The New York Times

I was always trying to learn and remember".

The New Yorker

"I was always trying to think big picture," he said.

The New York Times

"I was always trying to get away," Fox said.

The New York Times - Magazine

I was always trying to get here,'" Bennetts said.

The Guardian

So I was always trying to get my parents moving.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I was always trying to take art photographs," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

"My parents say I was always trying to grow up".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was always trying" to convey persistence and continuous effort in past situations. It effectively communicates dedication and repeated attempts toward a specific goal.

Common error

Avoid using "I was always trying" without providing sufficient context about the goal or situation. Ensure the reader understands what you were trying to achieve and why, to prevent the phrase from sounding vague or lacking purpose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was always trying" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. It indicates a continuous or repeated action in the past. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was always trying" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe persistent effort in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides a wide range of examples across various contexts, including news, academia, and general conversation. The phrase is generally neutral in register, making it suitable for diverse writing scenarios. Consider alternative phrases like "I constantly attempted" or "I continually made an effort" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I constantly attempted

Replaces 'always trying' with a more forceful emphasis on repeated attempts.

I continually made an effort

Emphasizes the ongoing and persistent nature of the effort.

I persistently sought

Highlights the determined and unwavering nature of the pursuit.

I invariably aimed

Focuses on the consistency of the intention or goal.

I consistently endeavored

Uses a more formal term ('endeavored') to describe the effort.

I kept striving

Simple change in the structure of the sentence, with the use of "keep" to mean that something happened constantly.

I was perpetually aiming

Perpetually replaces the word "always" with a stronger meaning.

I continually aspired

A more sophisticated vocabulary is used with the verb "aspire".

I relentlessly pursued

Relentlessly replaces the word "always", adding intensity to the action.

I regularly worked towards

Provides a broader context and makes the sentence more understandable and relatable.

FAQs

How can I use "I was always trying" in a sentence?

You can use "I was always trying" to describe a repeated effort in the past. For example, "I was always trying to improve my skills, but it was challenging."

What are some alternatives to "I was always trying"?

Alternatives include phrases like "I constantly attempted", "I continually made an effort", or "I persistently sought", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "I was always trying" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I was always trying" is grammatically correct. It uses the past continuous tense to indicate a repeated or ongoing action in the past.

What's the difference between "I was always trying" and "I always tried"?

"I was always trying" suggests a continuous, repeated effort, while "I always tried" implies a general habit or consistent attempt at any given opportunity. The former emphasizes the ongoing nature of the effort.