stava cercando di

was trying to

→ stare
phrase Uncommon #19,460
was trying to Used with an infinitive verb to show an ongoing attempt in the past.
IT: Stava cercando di aprire la porta.
EN: He was trying to open the door.

Sami stava cercando di divertirsi alla festa.

Sami was trying to have fun at the party.

Tom stava cercando di impressionare Mary.

Tom was trying to impress Mary.

Stava cercando di nascondersi dietro di lui.

She was trying to hide behind him.

Che cosa stava cercando di dire?

What was he trying to say?

Tom stava cercando di uccidere Mary.

Tom was trying to kill Mary.

Lui stava cercando di essere divertente.

He was trying to be funny.

Tom stava cercando di essere divertente.

Tom was trying to be funny.

Tom stava cercando di ucciderli.

Tom was trying to kill them.

Stava cercando di nascondersi dietro di lei.

He was trying to hide behind her.

Tom stava cercando di proteggerti.

Tom was trying to protect you.

Non stava cercando di farle male.

He wasn't trying to hurt her.

Piton stava cercando di salvarmi?

Was Snape trying to save me?

— Harry Potter e la pietra filosofale (2001)

Tom stava cercando di controllare la sua rabbia.

Tom was trying to control his anger.

Tom stava cercando di ucciderle.

Tom was trying to kill them.

Stava cercando di distruggere le prove.

He was trying to destroy evidence.