word usage - How can I say "it was tried"?

In my thesis I want to write the following:

Second, by using the [...] and [...] it was tried to find an appropriate model.

I am not sure about the "it was tried". Can I use it? What would be better?

Answer

I don't think "it was tried" followed by an infinitive is acceptable English. If you have to use the passive voice for stylistic reasons, you could instead say "an attempt was made":

Second, by using the [...] and [...], an attempt was made to find an appropriate model.