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ils cherchaient

they were looking for

→ il
phrase Rare #38,425
they were looking for In the imperfect tense; with à followed by an infinitive, it means “they were trying to.”
FR: Ils cherchaient leurs clés dans la maison.
EN: They were looking for their keys in the house.

Ils ont réalisé ce qu'ils cherchaient à faire.

They achieved what they set out to do.

Ils cherchaient le petit.

They were looking for the little one.

— Le Ruban blanc (2009)

Ils cherchaient la clef.

They were looking for the key.

— Ne le dis à personne (2006)

Ils cherchaient un bout de chiffon blanc pour l'agiter en l'air.

They were looking for a piece of white cloth to wave in the air.

— Des hommes d'honneur (1992)

Qu'est-ce qu'ils cherchaient ?

What were they looking for?

Je ne savais pas qu'ils cherchaient un chef !

I didn't know they were looking for a chef!

— Le Retour du Jedi (1983)

Ils cherchaient tous après l'enfant disparu.

They were all looking for the missing child.

Ils cherchaient à s'enfuir.

They were trying to escape.