he was trying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was trying" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone making an effort or attempting to do something in the past. Example: "He was trying to finish his project before the deadline, but he ran out of time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Personal narratives

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"But he was trying?

The New Yorker

"He was trying to survive".

The New York Times

He was trying to fight through it.

The New York Times

"He was trying to incite people.

The New York Times

He was trying to retain it all.

The New York Times - Sports

"He was trying to get that sound".

The New Yorker

He was trying to be brave.

The New Yorker

But he was trying to impress us".

The New Yorker

He was trying to move on.

The New York Times - Sports

He was trying to make a point.

Harvard University

He was trying to ignite.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was trying" to describe an action someone was in the process of attempting, whether or not they succeeded. It emphasizes the effort made.

Common error

Avoid using "trying" alone as a past tense verb. Instead of "He trying to open the door", use the correct past continuous form: "He was trying to open the door".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was trying" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past continuous action, specifically an attempt or effort made by someone. It describes an action in progress, whether or not the attempt was successful. Ludwig AI examples illustrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Sports

17%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was trying" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a past continuous action of attempting something. Ludwig AI confirms its versatility across various contexts, from news reports to personal stories. While synonyms like "he attempted" or "he endeavored" exist, they carry slightly different connotations. Pay attention to using the full form "he was trying", avoiding "he trying". The phrase's neutral register and widespread use in authoritative sources, such as The New York Times and The Guardian, make it a reliable choice for expressing effort and intent in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was aiming to

This expands on the original phrase by specifying intent.

he attempted

This alternative is more formal and concise.

he made an effort

This highlights the act of putting in effort, rather than necessarily succeeding.

he endeavored

This is a more formal and less common synonym for 'tried'.

he set out to

This suggests starting with a clear intention and plan.

he strived

This suggests a more determined and persistent effort.

he aimed

This implies having a specific goal or objective.

he sought

This indicates searching for or pursuing something.

he worked at

This emphasizes sustained effort over time.

he had a go at

This is an informal, often British, expression for attempting something.

FAQs

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

Use "he was trying" to describe a past action someone was attempting. For example, "he was trying to fix the problem" or "he was trying to be brave".

What are some alternatives to "he was trying"?

You can use alternatives like "he attempted", "he endeavored", or "he strived depending on the context.

Is "he tried" the same as "he was trying"?

"He tried" indicates a completed action, while "he was trying" suggests an ongoing or incomplete action in the past. For example, "he tried to open the door" implies he may have succeeded or failed, but the action is finished. "he was trying to open the door" focuses on the effort made during a period of time.

What's the difference between "he was trying to" and "he is trying to"?

"He was trying to" refers to a past attempt, while "he is trying to" describes a present, ongoing attempt. For example, "he was trying to understand" describes a past effort, while "he is trying to understand" describes a current effort.