they tried
Они пытались убедить всех остальных последовать их примеру, но безуспешно.
They tried to convince everyone else to follow their example, but they were unsuccessful.
— Мёртвые не умирают (2019)
They tried to kill her.
They tried to hold back their tears.
They tried to escape.
Они пытались меня развеселить.
They tried to cheer me up.