try: try doing vs. try to do

By | December 4, 2017
try: try doing something vs. try to do something
If you think that no one cares whether you’re alive or not, try missing a couple of payments.
Se credi che non interessi a nessuno che tu sia vivo o no, prova a saltare un paio di rate.
✓ If it stops working, try switching it off and on again.
✗ If it stops working, try *to switch* it off and on again.
Se smette di funzionare, prova a spegnerlo e riaccenderlo.
If you try doing something, you do it to see if it solves your problem.
Here are some examples of how we use try + -ing:
✓ If you’re feeling stressed, try putting your phone away.
✗ If you’re feeling stressed, try *to put* your phone away.
Se ti senti stressato, prova a mettere via il telefonino.
✓ It’s a bit bland. Try adding some salt. (= add some salt to see if it makes a difference)
✗ … Try *to add* some salt.
E’ un po’ insipido. Prova ad aggiungere del sale.
✓ Have you tried asking Yvonne? She might know. (= ask Yvonne to see if she knows)
✗ Have you tried *to ask* Yvonne?
Hai provato a chiedere a Yvonne? Forse lo sa.
If you try to do something, you make an attempt to do it.
Here are some examples of how we use try + infinitive:
✓ Please try to understand.
✗ Please try *understanding*.
Per favore, cerca di capire.
✓ We tried to convince her not to go, but she went anyway.
✗ We tried *convincing* her not to go, but she went anyway.
Abbiamo cercato di convincerla di non andare, ma è andata lo stesso.

Now try the quiz below! There are TEN answers. The pass mark is 90% (9 out of 10). Click on the blue arrows to go to the next or previous question. You can check your answers immediately or when you’ve finished the quiz.

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