Verb + ~ing or to ... (2) (try/need/help

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 quiet when you come home. Everyone will be asleep.

Try also means 'do something as an experiment or test'. For example:

* These cakes are delicious. You must try one. (= you must have one to see if you like it)

* We couldn't find anywhere to stay. We tried 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 this 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 - perhaps 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 table to the other side of the room. But it still didn't look right, so I moved it back again.

B. Need to ... and need ~ing

I need to do something = it is necessary for me to do it:

* I need to take 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 doing = something needs to be done:

* The batteries in the radio need changing. (= they need to be changed)

* Do you think my jacket needs cleaning? (= ... needs to be cleaned)

* It's a difficult problem. It needs thinking about very carefully. (= it needs to be thought about)

C. Help and can't help

You can say 'help to do' or 'help do' (infinitive 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 ...

There is also an expression 'can't/couldn't help doing something'. '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)



EXERCISES

56.1 Make helpful suggestions. Each time write a sentence using try + one of the following

suggestions: phone him at work move the aerial change the batteries turn it the other way take an

aspirin

1. The radio isn't working. I wonder what's wrong with it.

_Have you tried changing the batteries?_

2. I can't open the door. The key won't turn.

Try ---

3. The TV picture isn't very good. What can I do about it?

Have you ---

4. I can't contact Fred. He's not at home. What shall I do?

Why don't you ---

5. I've got a terrible headache. I wish it would go.

Have you ---

56.2 For each picture write a sentence with need(s) + one of the following verbs:

clean cut empty redecorate tighten

1. Her jacket is dirty. It needs cleaning.

2. The grass is very long. It ---

3. The room isn't very nice ---

4. The screws arc loose ---

5. The bin is full ---

56.3 Put the verb into the correct form, ~ing or to... .

1. a. I was very tired. I tried to keep (keep) my eyes open but I couldn't.

b. I rang the doorbell but there was no answer. Then I tried --- (knock) on the door, but there was still no answer.

c. We tried --- (put) the fire out but we were unsuccessful. We had to call the fire brigade.

d. Sue needed to borrow some money. She tried --- (ask) Gerry but he was short of money too.

e. I tried --- (reach) the shelf but I wasn't tall enough.

f. Please leave me alone. I'm trying --- (concentrate).

2. a. I need a change. I need --- (go) away for a while.

b. She isn't able to look after herself. She needs --- (look) after.

c. The windows are dirty. They need --- (clean).

d. Why are you leaving now? You don't need --- (go) yet, do you?

e. You don't need --- (iron) that shirt. It doesn't need --- (iron).

3. a. They were talking very loudly. I couldn't help --- (overhear) them.

b. Can you help me --- (get) the dinner ready?

c. He looks so funny. Whenever I see him, I can't help --- (smile).

d. The fine weather helped --- (make) it a very enjoyable holiday.