a gerund or an infinitive

[daisy1352]

I have considered telling them what the matter is, but I don't want to risk making them angry, because they've tried so hard to make me happy.
After "try" we can use either a gerund or an infinitive. Why has he used an infinitive and not a gerund here?
Thanks

[vil]

I’m not a teacher.

Hi daisy1352,

With a number of verbs both the gerund and the infinitive may be used. With the verbs “to remember”, “try”, “intend”, “prefer” the infinitive usually refers to the future, and the gerund to the past.

I remember seeing the book in many bookshops.

Remember to buy the book.

Well, I tried to stop them but it was no use.

We had tried washing them ourselves in the river.. and it had been a failure.

“I intend,” she told him…”to continue to do so.”

“She had intended saying “awful”, but she amended it to “is not particularly good”.

Yanny’s retort was curt: “I prefer not to tell you”.

He preferred taking his chance in court against the chance of losing his life.

Regards,

V.

[susiedqq]

1. I have considered telling them what the matter is, but I don't want to risk making them angry, because they've tried so hard to make me happy.

2. I have considered telling them what the matter is, but I don't want to risk making them angry, because they've tried making me happy so hard.

Either one works, but the "so hard" flows better with the infinitive. It is awkward in sentence #2.

Just my opinion; I am not a teacher.

[tedtmc]

Another way to put it:

I have considered telling them what the matter is, but I don't want to risk making them angry, because they've tried so hard at making me happy.

not a teacher