Do you know when you have to use 'try to do something' or 'try doing something'?
There is a slight difference in meaning between both.
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When we try to do something, we attempt something difficult or even impossible, and although we have done the best we could, we probably fail. It's also used when we spak about to attempt or to make an effort.
Examples:
She tried to win the Gold Medal at the Olympic Games, but she was not fast enough in the final.
I tried to call you this morning, but I did not find my mobile. I had left it at home when I went out.
My sister tried to quit smoking, but it only lasted for three days until she smoked again.
Sometimes, I try to watch horror movies, but they are too cruel and disgusting, that I never watched one till its end.
I always try to improve my English Grammar skills.
I try to do more sports, because I need to get fitter.
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When we try doing something, it means like an experiment, something easy to do, and the result is unknown. We can also use it to suggest something, to test, to experiment something, to solve problems, or to correct mistakes.
For example:
If you don't reach me by phone in the morning, try calling me in the evening.
My dog did not stop barking, so I tried feeding him different kinds of dog food.
If you want to lose weight, try walking at least half an hour a day.
Speaker 1: "There must be a problem with my printer. It's not working". Speaker 2: " Have you tried plugging the plug...? Haha!"
I can't sleep well at the moment. I should try not drinking so much coffee in the evening.
Comments
You are most welcome Rose.
A very useful topic. Thank you Rose for posting such nice notes.
Thanks a lot, Tawfeeq.
G'Tag ! Hai, Try doing = is about getting result....Try to do = is about making an effort..Why dot'cha try to ask academic question ?
Hi, Adriano
You know, Adriano, what I post or don't post here is probably my business. We're here to develop our English. Knowing how the use of infinitives or gerunds can change the meaning of a statement will also help. MyEC is not a club for academics. If all you want to do is discuss such topics, please join an academic club. I've read your pejorative comments on posts here several times, some of which even culminate in you making fun of members' poor English skills instead of just correcting their mistakes. Most of the time you have not even commented on the topics themselves. It seems that you are always looking for mistakes, which are sometimes just fleeting spelling mistakes, only to mock them. Fortunately, no member of MyEC has ever paid you back in kind. After all, your comments are not always error-free either. So! I finally wanted to get rid of that! If you are angry with me now, I have to accept and endure it. But you would show true greatness if you would accept my criticism of your behaviour and think about it.
Excuse please my direct speech. I couldn't help commenting that way. Getting to the point is just my manner.
Ohhh...I made a mistake. I shouldn't have said direct speech...I should have said frank and straight speech.
Doesn't matter, you're here to develop your English !
Thank you for sharing, may I try, hope to be corrected : Speaker 1: " These last days I can find no energy to move even a straw. " Speaker 2 :" "Check your fever, if you are not sick (~ beware Corona) try doing something new ? " I wonder is which is better: try do something new or try doing some new things.
Hello, Helen S.
Let me answer your questions as good I can.
I am not a native English speaker, but I do my best.
You should write Speaker 1: "In the past few days, I haven't been able to find any energy to even move a straw." ....
or also: Speaker 1: "For a few days, I have not been able to find enough energy even to move a straw."
Speaker 2: Check if you have a fever. If you have no fever and are not sick, have you tried exercising or going for a walk?
"Try exercising/going for a walk"... It means whether you have given those activities a try, to see if they work. It's like a test.
If you say:
Speaker 2: Check if you have a fever. If you do not have a fever and are not sick, try to do sports or to run in the fresh air.
If you say "try to do...or to run", means: making progress by doing sports...and so on.
To answer your question: I wonder is which is better: try to do something new or try doing some new things.
It depends on what you want to express. If you want to test the new things...then you write: try doing some new things.
If you want to speak about to make progress, you should write: Try to do something new.
I hope I was able to explain it well enough. I am not a teacher...just for my excuse.
Maybe, one of the native speakers would like to check it and if I am wrong, I would be grateful for corrections.
Thank you Rose, your explanations are very helpful, until now never thought of the difference between " trying to do" and "try do". I realise my question had an error, I shall correct myself: "I wonder is which is better" "is " was not needed. I am always happy to learn, grateful thanks again!
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