～うとした (〜uto shita)
Explanation
Express an action someone tried to do but couldn't; 'tried to', 'attempted to'.
Formation
Verb-う stem + とした
Detailed Explanation
The ～うとした grammar point is used to express an action that someone tried to do but couldn't complete, for various reasons. The formation differs depending on whether it is used with verbs. This grammar point can be translated as 'tried to' or 'attempted to' in English.
Examples
電話に出ようとしたが、相手は切ってしまった。
Denwa ni deyou to shita ga, aite wa kitte shimatta.
I tried to answer the phone, but the other person hung up.
彼は大声で話そうとしたが、言葉が出なかった。
Kare wa oogoe de hanasou to shita ga, kotoba ga denakatta.
He tried to speak loudly, but no words came out.
ケーキを作ろうとしたが、材料が足りなかった。
Keeki wo tsukurou to shita ga, zairyou ga tarinakatta.
I tried to make a cake, but I didn't have enough ingredients.
彼女は泳ごうとしたが、怖くて水に入れなかった。
Kanojo wa oyogou to shita ga, kowakute mizu ni irenakatta.
She tried to swim, but she was scared and couldn't get in the water.
Grammar content sourced from hanabira.org.