'Try to do' or 'Try doing'? Learn English with Simple English Videos

What are you doing? Oh, I'm trying to learn to touch type.

But what are all the sticky notes for? Oh, I'm trying not to look at the keys. Good luck with that

The verb 'try' can be followed by an infinitive

form or a gerund and the two structures have very similar meanings.

In fact they're so similar that in some situations you can use either.

Have you spoken to Rachel? No I tried calling her but the line was busy.

Have you spoken to Rachel? No I tried to call her but the line was busy.

In both cases Jay wanted to speak to Rachel. 'I tried calling' means he thought phoning

might be the way to do it. I tried to call' means he made an effort - made

an attempt to speak to her. So the difference is very subtle - very small.

'Try doing' is about getting results, achieving a successful outcome.

Try to do' is about making an effort. I'm trying to change this lightbulb but I can't reach.

. We often use 'try to do' when we think something is hard.

We're trying to do this jigsaw, but it's very difficult.

What's a frog's favourite drink? Jay, I'm busy.

Croak-a-Cola. Did you know cows have four stomachs?

Jay, I'm trying to work.

So we use 'try to' when an action itself is hard. When the action is easy but we don't know if it will achieve the result we want,

we use 'try doing'. What do you think? It's a bit tasteless.

Try adding some salt. OK. Adding salt is easy, so the issue here is

will salt make it better. Try doing' is about experimenting to find

something that works. The television's not working. Try plugging it in. Oh.

We often use 'trying doing' when there's a

problem and we're suggesting a possible solution. Coming? I want to finish my coffee. It's hot.

Try putting some ice in it. Good idea. I do wish you'd try going out with some of

the other boys as well as Geoff. Why? Mother I like Geoff a lot.

I know dear. I like him too. But after all, there are other boys in the world.

So 'try to do' - make an effort. 'Try doing' - experiment. You can see both forms in this

sentence here. Learning to touch type is hard. You have to

make an effort. Perhaps sticky notes will help, or perhaps not. They're an experiment.

One last example. What are you doing?

I'm trying to get a paper ball into Kathy's trash can. Oh well done! Can I try? Sure. OK. Here we go.

Try rolling it into a smaller ball. OK.