This took him two tries, because of his shaking hands.
It took him three tries, probably because his arms were still aching.
It took many tries before she made the tone again.
It had taken many tries before the law was passed.
It took her two more tries before she got it right.
It took 25 tries, but she finally got it right.
It took two tries; his arms felt like lead.
It took him two tries, but he got the case dismissed.
It won't take many more tries for these guys to bring the gun on target.
Some of the recruits were so tense it took them two tries.