They tried to stop the leak but they couldn't.

Meaning: This means that the people who were mentioned before attempted to make the hole or crack that allowed liquid to pass through end, but they were not able to.

Choice of Words: They is a pronoun that refers to the people who were mentioned before. Tried is a verb that means to attempt to do something. Stop is a verb that means to make something end. Leak is a noun that refers to a hole or crack that allows liquid to pass through. Couldn't is a contraction of the words could not.

Alternative Expressions

Related Expressions

• The roof started to leak and water dripped down the walls.
• They tried to escape but failed.
• The dog jumped up and tried to catch the squirrel, but missed.
• She tried her best but failed the exam.
• I tried to shake it out, but it wouldn't budge.
• Questions were hard, but she tried her best.
• We tried on many clothes but didn't buy anything.
• Little tree tried hard, but couldn't reach.
• He knew it was impossible, but he couldn't help but dream.
• He tried to comfort her with kind words.