Lesson 47 verbs after “try”
Choose the correct answers:
- Most students always try __________ (to do, doing) their best in all the classes.
- For students with small children, they try __________ (to take care of, taking care of) their children and their study at the same time.
- When they have aging parents and young children, some students have a hard time. Zakia is trying __________ (to come, coming) up some effective solutions. She has tried __________ (to find, finding) a babysitter for her children. She has also tried __________ (to hire, hiring) a home caregiver for her parents. However, nothing has worked well so far. She is considering quitting school and staying home full time.
Explain:
The verb “try” can be followed by both an infinitive (to + base verb) and a gerund (verb-ing), with very different meanings.
try + to + base verb (infinitive): make an effort, do one’s best
try + verb-ing (gerund): experiment with a plan to see if it works.
- In Sentence #1, try + infinitive. Students make an effort to do well in their classes.
- In Sentence #2, try + infinitive. Students make an effort to take care of their children and study.
- In Sentence #3, try + gerund. Zakia has experimented two plans to see which works better: hiring a babysitter or a home caregiver.
Review:
Baking is my way to relax after a busy day at work. Yesterday, I tried __________ (to bake, baking) a new cake to surprise my family. I wanted it to be less sweet, so I tried __________ (to add, adding) half the required amount of sugar. The cake did not turn out as yummy as I had hoped. I did not give up but baked the second one. This time I tried __________ (use, using) half the required amount of sugar plus a half cup of chopped dates. The result was fantastic!
Answers:
to do; to take care of; to come; finding; hiring
to bake; adding; using
