When they break down, the clerk must try to repair it or wait for help to arrive.

The clerk tried to stop him going up, but according to his tale, he'd had too much to drink.

The clerk moved his neck and tried to smile.

"When the clerk tried to foil it, they attacked her."

The clerk was trying to peek around it, but couldn't at that distance.

The clerk tried to stop his flight; but the shots went wide.

The clerks try to reason with the people who come in, no matter what the issue.

She did not know that the clerk was trying to stall.

At that moment, a clerk tried the door again, entered, and found the colonel sitting in his chair looking puzzled.