| A |
Try to ... and try -ing
Try to do = attempt to do, make an effort to do:
- I was very tired. I tried to keep my eyes open, but I couldn't.
- Please try to be quiet when you come home. Everyone will be asleep.
Try also means 'do something as an experiment or test'. For example:
- These cakes are delicious. You should try one. (= you should have one to see if you like it)
- We couldn't find anywhere to stay. We tried every hotel in the town, but they were all full. (= we went to every hotel to see if they had a room)
If try (with this meaning) is followed by a verb, we say try -ing:
- A: The photocopier doesn't seem to be working.
B: Try pressing the green button.
(= press the green button - perhaps this will help to solve the problem)
Compare:
- I tried to move the table, but it was too heavy. (so I couldn't move it)
- I didn't like the way the furniture was arranged, so I tried moving the table to the other side of the room. But it didn't look right, so I moved it back again.
|
| B |
Need to ... and need -ing
I need to do something = it is necessary for me to do it:
- I need to get more exercise.
- He needs to work harder if he wants to make progress.
- I don't need to come to the meeting, do I?
Something needs doing = it needs to be done:
- My phone needs charging. (= it needs to be charged)
- Do you think this jacket needs cleaning? (= .. . needs to be cleaned)
- It's a difficult problem. It needs thinking about very carefully. (= it needs to be thought about)
|
| C |
Help and can't help
You can say help to do or help do (with or without to):
- Everybody helped to clean up after the party. or Everybody helped clean up ...
- Can you help me to move this table? or Can you help me move ...
I can't help doing something = I can't stop myself doing it:
- I don't like him, but he has a lot of problems. I can't help feeling sorry for him.
- She tried to be serious, but she couldn't help laughing. (= she couldn't stop herself laughing)
- I'm sorry I'm so nervous. I can't help it. (= I can't help being nervous)
|
