Have a look, could you?

[MrPedantic]

Hello EL,

Yes, that difference does exist; but it isn't quite as clear-cut as it might seem:

1. Try to move this table/Try moving this table. = Attempt to move this table.

2. Try moving the table = Attempt to move the table as a test or experiment.



Many native speakers report that they sense no difference between the use of the infinitive and gerund, in contexts such as #1, but I would see a difference of focus: with the infinitive, you present the action as a whole, from the "outside", as it were, but with the gerund, you present the action in progress, from the "inside".

Best wishes,

MrP

[bianca]

I would like to draw a parallell between these two examples (try to move/try moving) and an observation linguists have made on the use/omission of the infinitive after a verb . It appears that, according to them, the infinitive "to" is more common in British English, while a significant shift towards the gerundial complement (-ing verb) has been noted in American English from the early 1960s to the early 1990s. In general, it seems that complement choice is a good example of on-going language-change.

[Englishlanguage]

I imagined that was not a big difference. This opens up another problem: why do English grammars report rules which are not followed by native speakers? The only result I see is confusing learners.
Anyway, thanks to everybody for explaining.

[Englishlanguage]

Originally Posted by bianca

I would like to draw a parallell between these two examples (try to move/try moving) and an observation linguists have made on the use/omission of the infinitive after a verb . It appears that, according to them, the infinitive "to" is more common in British English, while a significant shift towards the gerundial complement (-ing verb) has been noted in American English from the early 1960s to the early 1990s. In general, it seems that complement choice is a good example of on-going language-change.

This is interesting. I thought the try + -ing form was not that common in American English since I never heard it in any American movie.

[princess19]

hey guys!
I have a problem with passive and active voice!!

can you help me?

I can't understand the differences between them

please help!!

bye!

[BobK]

Originally Posted by Englishlanguage

...

Is this just one of those nuances every grammar book reports but no English speaker knows about? or is it just that in our case there is not a big difference in meaning between try to concentrate and try concentrating?
Thank you

There's always a reason for things being included in grammar books. They may sometimes be wrong, or out of date, or unduly prescriptive, or ... there's always a reason. And I doubt if the reason is ever 'just to confuse learners'.. Sometimes a grammar book reports a nuance that some native speakers may not 'know about'; that doesn't mean a native speaker isn't aware of how to use the language. By definition, a native speaker can use the language.

Originally Posted by princess19

hey guys!
I have a problem with passive and active voice!!

can you help me?

I can't understand the differences between them

please help!!

bye!

Please start a new thread (or try searching for a thread that discusses your question). Questions are always welcome, but in the right place! See the forum rules.

b

[MrPedantic]

Originally Posted by Englishlanguage

I imagined that was not a big difference. This opens up another problem: why do English grammars report rules which are not followed by native speakers? The only result I see is confusing learners.
Anyway, thanks to everybody for explaining.

I would second Bob's comments. We also have to bear in mind that, in a grammar book, every item appears to have equal importance; whereas in practice, you could chatter away for months, without once saying "try to do X" or "try doing Y".

MrP