He strained to catch the sound of footfalls on the other side.

He strained to catch all her words as she began the incantation.

I strained to catch the look on his face, but it was all in shadow.

I strained to catch what was being said, failing to hear.

"I'd like to show these to a friend," he said, so softly that she almost had to strain to catch the words.

"Our time will come," she said, her voice so low I had to strain to catch the words.

With ears and Talent, he strained to catch their words.

He looked like a man straining to catch some small sound.

They could sense but not see the person up there straining to catch a glimpse of them in the dark.

His ears strained to catch the deep notes of the doctor's voice.