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 quit when you come home, Everyone will be asleep.
Try also means “do something as an experiment or test.” For example:
– These cookies are delicious. You should try one. (= you should have one to see if you like it)
– We couldn’t find anywhere to stay. We tired 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 his 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 – maybe 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 tablet to the other side of the room. But is still didn’t look right, so I moved it back again.
-—————————–
B
Need to do, need to be done, and need doing
-—————————–
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 to be done = someone needs to do it”
– My cell phone heeds to be changed.
– Do you think my pants need to be washed?
Sometimes we use need doing instead of need to be done:
– My cell phone needs charging.
– Do you think my pants need washing
-—————————–
A : This room needs to be clean up.
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 from 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 from laughing)
– I’m sorry I’m so nervous. I can’t help it (= I can’t help being nervous)
-—————————–
コメント