Recently, I've been learning Italian. Putting its grammar aside, I have found it difficult (for me) to pronounce 'r' in Italian. No matter how many times I try /have tried, I was /have been unable to properly pronounce it. At first, I was really upset and disappointed, but lately I have had no choice but to accept this (fact) and pronounce 'l' rather than 'r' /to replace 'r'. Though how to pronunce 'r' in Italian is still a mystery to me, it's said that everyone is able to pronounce it if you get the technique. Well, I hope I can suddenly realize /develop /acquire /learn this technique one day. As you are still trying to learn how to make the 'r' sound, the verbs concerned should be in the present perfect. When you have mastered it then you can use the past tense, as they will no longer apply in the present.