Complete Guide to Using “Are you trying to + (verb)” in English

The phrase “Are you trying to + verb” is used to ask whether someone is making an effort or attempting to do something. This construction helps inquire about both physical and mental efforts someone might be making.

“Are you trying to” Usage Examples

Sno	English Example	Hindi Translation	Context
1	Are you trying to ignore me?	क्या तुम मुझे नज़रअंदाज़ करने की कोशिश कर रहे हो?	Social interaction
2	Are you trying to manage your money?	क्या तुम अपने पैसे बचाने की कोशिश कर रहे हो?	Financial management
3	Are you trying to memorize that song?	क्या तुम उस गाने को याद करने की कोशिश कर रहे हो?	Mental effort
4	Are you trying to offer your help?	क्या तुम अपनी मदद पेश करने की कोशिश कर रहे हो?	Assistance
5	Are you trying to program your new phone?	क्या तुम अपना नया फोन सेट करने की कोशिश कर रहे हो?	Technical attempt
6	Are you trying to pretend like it never happened?	क्या तुम ऐसा दिखाने की कोशिश कर रहे हो जैसे कुछ हुआ ही नहीं?	Emotional pretense
7	Are you trying to remain calm?	क्या तुम शांत रहने की कोशिश कर रहे हो?	Emotional control
8	Are you trying to remember her name?	क्या तुम उसका नाम याद करने की कोशिश कर रहे हो?	Memory recall
9	Are you trying to reflect on the past?	क्या तुम अतीत पर विचार करने की कोशिश कर रहे हो?	Contemplation
10	Are you trying to switch flights?	क्या तुम अपनी फ्लाइट बदलने की कोशिश कर रहे हो?	Travel plans

Expanded Usage Examples

Sno	English Example	Hindi Translation
11	Are you trying to lose weight?	क्या तुम वजन कम करने की कोशिश कर रहे हो?
12	Are you trying to make me angry?	क्या तुम मुझे गुस्सा दिलाने की कोशिश कर रहे हो?
13	Are you trying to learn Spanish?	क्या तुम स्पेनिश सीखने की कोशिश कर रहे हो?
14	Are you trying to start a business?	क्या तुम व्यवसाय शुरू करने की कोशिश कर रहे हो?
15	Are you trying to improve your skills?	क्या तुम अपने कौशल सुधारने की कोशिश कर रहे हो?

Alternative Expressions

Sno	English Example	Hindi Translation
1	Are you attempting to fix this?	क्या तुम इसे ठीक करने का प्रयास कर रहे हो?
2	Is it your goal to finish today?	क्या आज खत्म करना तुम्हारा लक्ष्य है?
3	Do you intend to call them?	क्या तुम उन्हें फोन करने का इरादा रखते हो?

Key Grammar Rules

• Structure:
  • “Are you trying to” + base verb
  • ✅ Correct: “Are you trying to call someone?”
  • ❌ Incorrect: “Are you trying to calling someone?”
• Negative Form:
  • “Aren’t you trying to help?”
  • “Are you not trying to understand?”
• Tense Variations:
  • Present continuous: “Are you trying to…”
  • Past: “Were you trying to…”
  • Future: “Will you be trying to…”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ “Are you try to open this?”
✅ “Are you trying to open this?” (use continuous form)

❌ “Are you trying understand me?”
✅ “Are you trying to understand me?” (include “to”)

❌ “Are you trying too hard?” (different meaning)
✅ “Are you trying to do this?” (clear purpose)

Cultural Usage Notes

• Tone Implications:
  • Can sound accusatory without context (“Are you trying to…?”)
  • Soften with “just” (“Are you just trying to help?”)
• Workplace Usage:
  • Useful for clarifying intentions (“Are you trying to suggest a new approach?”)
• Indian Context:
  • Often used with “only” (“Are you trying only to help?”)
  • Sometimes considered too direct (preface with “I was wondering…”)