Try + -ing = to attempt to solve a problem by doing something.
Try + to + infinitive = to attempt and fail to do something.
Compare:
I tried turning the tap but the water still poured out. (I managed to turn the tap)
I tried to turn the tap but it was too old and rusty. (I couldn't turn the tap)
To sum up, It has a slightly different sense in using.
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References
P'Sun,
ReplyDeleteCan we use try+to v.inf. if we don't fail to do that thing? For example, I try to study more. (I havn't fail yet but I kep trying.)
Sun,
ReplyDeleteThank you for following this up and posting your results. I think it's great if you use this blog to extend discussions or otherwise follow up issues that arise in class.
On the grammar point, your examples are excellent. As usual, a concrete example or two makes an abstract and confusing idea much clearer.
Naya's follow up question is also a good one. Any takers? Perhaps another pair of examples?
Naya,
ReplyDeleteI don't know!
Sorry for my former reply. It doesn't seem to be an academic answer.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, "I'm trying to study more", "I try to study more", and " I will try to study more" do not demonstrate a sense of failure towards a subject's action. What I really mean is that a failure in doing something occurs when an action passes and perhaps a writer should also give more details about it. "tried to do something" which is a past tense tends to contain a sense of failure (you can see from my above-mentioned examples). According to the three sentences i have addressed, an action still continues, even in a present simple tense; therefore, we cannot conclude whether failure has taken place or not.
Wow!!! This is really useful! Thank you very much!! :D
ReplyDeleteI'm with nong Tang
ReplyDeleteIt's a useful post!
Thanks