Korean Job Discussion Forums

[melb]

I am in need of a grammar expert! I am trying to find the answer as to why in the first example it is okay to use both the gerund and infinitive where as in the second example only the infinitive can be used.

1. I haven't been able to get in touch with Shannon. I tried ____ her. I tried ____ her a letter. I tried _____ a message with her brother when I talked to him. Nothing worked.

gerund: calling, writing, leaving infinitive: to call, to write, to leave

(the answer key states both are correct)

2. I always try _____ my bills on time, but sometimes I'm a little late.

gerund: paying infinitive: to pay

(the answer key states that only the infinitive can be used)

Is the answer key incorrect? I have been doing much research with little outcome so if anyone has the answer I would greatly appreciate it!

[andrewchon]

I vote gerunds and not infinitives for 1 and just the infinitive for 2.

[Morgen]

The way I understand it, when using "to try" you use the infinitive when you're expressing an endeavor to accomplish something. The gerund is used when it's more of an attempt to do something as an experiment or when the outcome is uncertain or has failed, as in, "I tried shouting but the students kept misbehaving."

[Mush]

According to http://www.englishpage.com/gerunds/gerund_or_infinitive_different_list.htm:

1) "Try + gerund" means to try or to experiment with different methods to see if something works.

2) "Try + gerund" is often used when you experiment with something, but you do not really like it or want to do it again.

3) When you "try to do" something, you want to do it, but you do not succeed in actually doing it.

4) An infinitive is also used if you are asking someone to try something they may or may not be able to accomplish.

According to this, I would say your answer key is correct. The first set could be gerund as per #1. It could also be infintive as per #3.

As for the second one, I think only #3 applies.

[The Cosmic Hum]

Actually, Morgen's example is good to demonstrate the difference between the two.

"I tried shouting, but the students kept misbehaving"
The person actually shouted, but failed in the attempt to quiet the students.

"I tried to shout, but the students kept misbehaving."
In this case in is unclear as to whether or not the person actually shouted at all.
"I tried to shout, but the students kept misbehaving, so I didn't bother."

As tried is in the past tense in the original example,
I tried calling, writing, leaving...all demonstrate that the calling, writing, and leaving, were done...however the outcome failed.
I tried calling her, but the line was busy. ( The call to her number was made.)

If however, you use the infinitive...then we are unsure if the call(etc) was ever made.
I tried to call her, but my phone battery was dead.
I tried to write her a letter, but I just couldn't do it, I was too angry.

The difference is subtle, but to native speakers it can have a profound difference in meaning.

As for the second set...in present tense.
The answer key is correct.
The infinitive is being used to state a general rule...that may or may not have a successful outcome.
This is inline with using the simple present tense when stating general rules of behaviour.
The gerund is not used - as it would be uncertain whether or not one would fail in the attempt...it might be possible to do the act in question.
If the attempts are usually(always) succesful then simple present tense would be used.
I try to pay my bills on time. (as a general rule they do this...maybe they are successful, maybe they aren't)
I pay my bills on time. (They are successful in their attempts.)


Hope this is helpful.