Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He quit and moved to Shanghai to join the faculty of Fudan University, a prestigious school that had been trying to recruit him for years.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

“It’s honestly so crazy to me looking back on this journey, because I had been trying to get into theater, film, way before ‘Secret Lives’ even came into my life,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026

The airline had been trying to stay afloat with the help of the U.S. government, but a bailout failed to materialize.

From MarketWatch • May 4, 2026

Spirit had been trying to stay afloat but it wasn’t able to strike a bailout deal with the U.S. government.

From MarketWatch • May 2, 2026

Palmer’s mother had been trying to push Dorothy and him together as friends for years.

From "Wringer" by Jerry Spinelli