were trying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were trying" is not correct as it should be "we're trying" or "were trying" depending on the context.
You can use "we're trying" when referring to an ongoing effort in the present, and "were trying" when discussing a past effort. Example: "We’re trying to finish the project on time."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

People were trying to understand.

The New Yorker

Yes, they were trying.

The New York Times - Sports

The Knicks were trying to be safe".

The New York Times

Many men were trying to sleep outside.

The New York Times

"They were trying to ride their bikes".

The New York Times

"We were trying to stay focused".

The New York Times - Sports

"They were trying to limit our aggressiveness".

The New Yorker

They were trying to fire me up.

The New York Times

Days in the classroom were trying.

The New York Times

They were trying to protect me.

Independent

People were trying out different explanations.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Double-check subject-verb agreement. Ensure the verb form aligns with the subject (e.g., "we were trying," "they were trying," but "I was trying").

Common error

Avoid using "were" with singular subjects like "I", "he", or "she". Use "was" instead. Saying "I were trying" is incorrect; the correct form is "I was trying".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were trying" functions as a past continuous verb phrase, indicating an ongoing action or attempt in the past. It describes what someone or a group of people was in the process of doing, even if they did not succeed. Ludwig AI stresses the incorrect nature of this term if not associated to plural noun.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

26%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were trying" is a past continuous verb phrase used to describe an ongoing effort in the past. While extremely common, this construction is flagged by Ludwig AI as grammatically incorrect when used with singular subjects; "was trying" should be used instead. The phrase appears most frequently in "News & Media" and "Academia", indicating widespread use despite grammatical considerations. Remember to check subject-verb agreement to ensure correct usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempted to do

Focuses on the act of making an attempt, emphasizing that an effort was made.

made an effort to

Highlights the exertion of effort in trying to achieve something.

worked to

Emphasizes the action and labor involved in the attempt.

were aiming to

Similar to 'aimed to', but with a continuous or ongoing implication.

sought to

Implies a more formal or deliberate attempt, often with a specific goal in mind.

aimed to

Indicates a direction or goal towards which effort was directed.

endeavored to

A more formal and often literary way of saying 'tried'.

strove to

Suggests a sustained and determined effort, often against obstacles.

gave it a shot

An informal way of saying they tried something, often implying a lack of seriousness.

took a crack at

A more casual and informal way of expressing an attempt to do something.

FAQs

How do I use "were trying" correctly in a sentence?

"Were trying" is used with plural subjects like "we", "they", or "you". For example, "We "were trying" to understand the instructions." For singular subjects like "I", "he", or "she", use "was trying".

Is it always wrong to say "were trying"?

Yes, grammatically, "were trying" requires a plural subject. If you're referring to a singular subject in the past continuous tense, the correct form is "was trying".

What's the difference between "was trying" and "were trying"?

"Was trying" is the past continuous tense used with singular subjects (I, he, she, it), while "were trying" is used with plural subjects (we, you, they).

Are there any situations where "were trying" is acceptable with a singular subject?

No, in standard English grammar, "were trying" always requires a plural subject. Using it with a singular subject is considered incorrect.