Metkagram
EN RU

B2–C1 · GFI · GFI006

Subject + tried to + infinitive, but + obstacle clause

Explanation

A reusable frame from “Gerund contrasts and participial clauses”. Compare how English and German express gerund contrasts and participial clauses. Practise reusable constructions with Russian translations.

Structure

EN · EnglishSubject + tried to + infinitive, but + obstacle clause
DE · GermanSubject + versuchen, zu-infinitive, aber + obstacle

Anchor phrase

RU · Translation

Я пытался открыть окно, но его заклинило.

EN · English

I tried to open the window, but it was stuck.

DE · German

Ich versuchte, das Fenster zu öffnen, aber es klemmte.

Try variations2 · more examples

  1. RU · Translation

    Она пыталась ему позвонить, но связи не было.

    EN · English

    She tried to call him, but there was no signal.

    DE · German

    Sie versuchte, ihn anzurufen, aber es gab keinen Empfang.

  2. RU · Translation

    Мы пытались закончить до обеда, но проверка заняла больше времени, чем ожидалось.

    EN · English

    We tried to finish before lunch, but the test took longer than expected.

    DE · German

    Wir versuchten, vor dem Mittagessen fertig zu werden, aber der Test dauerte länger als erwartet.

Pattern graph

Continue with nearby patterns

GFI010Subject + meant to + infinitive, but + explanationGFIGFI002Remember to + infinitive + contextGFIGFI008Subject + regret(s) to + communication verb + that-clauseGFIGFI004Subject + stop/stopped + to-infinitive of purposeGFI