Hard is the adverb modifying the past-tense verb tried. Tried is the action word, from try. Hard is describing how the action was done.
In the following sentence, identify the adverb: "Gabriel tried out for the soccer team this year, but he plays terribly."
terribly is the adverb
The adverb is the word "earlier."
terrible
"Is" is not a subordinating conjunction. It is a verb that functions as the main verb in a sentence. Subordinating conjunctions typically introduce a subordinate clause and show the relationship between that clause and the main clause.
The adverb here is "terribly," an adverbial of manner. The "this year" is a noun phrase serving as an adverbial of time but not an adverb.
My friends and I tried out for the basketball team.
After her dog's death, friends tried to solace Jane.
Tough Glenn was devout, he was no zealot who tried to force his beliefs on friends. Who is Tough Glenn?
No, it's a phrasal verb.
Example sentence for the adverb savagely:A tornado savagely tore through the neighborhood tearing up houses and uprooting trees.
I was still depressed by the time of the field trip, but I tried to muster as much enthusiasm as I could for my friends' sake.