it was trying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was trying" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an effort or attempt made by someone or something, often implying difficulty or challenge. Example: "The project was ambitious, and it was trying to meet the tight deadlines set by the client."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Partly it was trying to keep its options open.

The Economist

It was tilting its wings up and down like it was trying to balance.

Wikipedia

"It was trying," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It was trying times in the world.

The Guardian

Then it was trying to survive".

The New York Times

It was trying from the start.

The New York Times

It was trying to record country music.

The Guardian - Travel

"It was trying to be as minimal as possible".

The New York Times

It was trying instead to avert the risk of deflation.

The Economist

I believed it was trying to tell me something.

The New Yorker

ED COPPS: I think that Intermetrics had a lot of intellectual difficulties in what it thought it was trying to do and what it was trying to become.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was trying" to describe a past effort, often when the outcome is uncertain or unsuccessful. This phrase effectively conveys both the action and the potential challenge involved.

Common error

Avoid using "it was trying" as a filler phrase. Ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to and what the goal of the attempt was. Being specific enhances clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was trying" functions as a verbal phrase indicating an action that was in progress in the past. It usually describes an effort or attempt to achieve something. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various contexts, indicating its acceptability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

18%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was trying" is a versatile phrase used to describe past efforts or attempts, often implying a challenge or uncertainty in the outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. Its neutral tone makes it suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific settings. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what "it" refers to for better clarity. Consider alternatives like "it was attempting" or "it was endeavoring" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was making an effort

Directly states that an attempt was being made.

it was endeavoring

Formal synonym, emphasizing a serious or determined effort.

it was aiming to

Focuses on the goal or objective being pursued.

it was seeking to

Highlights the act of searching or pursuing a specific outcome.

it was working to

Emphasizes the effort and labor involved in the attempt.

it was undertaking

Formal way to say that something was commenced.

it was giving it a shot

Informal way to express attempting something.

it was taking steps to

Highlights the actions taken to achieve something.

it was having a go

British English informal way to express attempting something.

it was disposed to

Formal synonym that expresses a tendency.

FAQs

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

Use "it was trying" to describe a past action or attempt, particularly when the effort faced challenges or the outcome was uncertain. For instance, "The company said "it was trying" to resolve the matter."

What are some alternatives to "it was trying"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "it was attempting", "it was endeavoring", or "it was making an effort" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "it was trying to" or "it tried to"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "It was trying to" emphasizes the process or effort over time, while "it tried to" focuses on the completed attempt. For example, "It was trying to minimize redundancies" shows a continuing effort, whereas "it tried to minimize redundancies" suggests a specific attempt.

What does "it was trying" imply about the success of the effort?

"It was trying" often implies that the effort may not have been fully successful or that there were challenges involved. While not explicitly stating failure, it suggests that the outcome was not guaranteed. The speaker may also be implying that the goal was not fully achieved.