were trying
Elas estavam tentando matar o Tom.
They were trying to kill Tom.
Eles estavam tentando matar o Tom.
They were trying to kill Tom.
Were you trying to escape?
Eles só estavam tentando ajudar.
They were just trying to help.
Were they trying to deceive me?
Se eles estavam tentando roubar o dinheiro, por que ele mandou que me matassem?
If they were trying to steal the money, why did he order them to kill me?
Pensei que estavam tentando aprender o jogo.
I thought they were trying to learn the game.
— Lagaan: A Coragem de um Povo (2001)
Elas só estavam tentando ajudar.
They were just trying to help.
O que seus amigos estavam tentando fazer?
What were his friends trying to do?
— O Conformista (1971)