he tried
Il a essayé d'apporter la paix.
He tried to bring peace.
He tried, and he did it.
Il a essayé en vain de rendre sa femme heureuse.
He tried in vain to make his wife happy.
Il a essayé fort mais il a échoué.
He tried hard but he failed.
Il a essayé beaucoup de méthodes différentes.
He tried many different methods.
Il a essayé en vain de m'ouvrir les yeux.
He tried in vain to make me see the truth.
He tried to prepare himself.
Il a essayé, en vain, de leur emprunter une grosse somme d'argent.
He tried, in vain, to borrow a large sum of money from them.
Il a essayé, d'après ce que je vois.
He tried, from what I see.