Try Doing vs Try to Do

Level B1–B2
5-question quiz

Quick answer

Try doing is an experiment: do it and see what happens. Try restarting the printer. Try to do is an effort: it's difficult, and it may not work. I tried to fix the printer, but I couldn't.

See the difference

Same situation, two choices. Pick an example.

Try doing · an experiment

Try restarting the printer.

try

restarting it

see what happens

EARLIER

LATER

The action is easy to do; the question is whether it helps.

Try to do · an effort

I tried to fix the printer, but I couldn't.

I tried

to fix it

hard: it may not work

EARLIER

LATER

The action itself is hard, and you may not manage it.

The rules side by side

Rule	Try doing	Try to do
Meaning	Do it to see what happens	Make an effort; it's hard
Can you do the action?	Yes, easily	Maybe not
Typical use	Advice and solutions	Difficulties and failures
Example	Try adding more salt.	Try to stay calm.

3 mistakes learners make

Wrong: ~~Try to restarting it.~~
Right: Try restarting it.
Either try + -ing or try to + base verb, not both.
Wrong: ~~I tried open the window.~~
Right: I tried to open the window.
For an effort, use try to + base verb.
Wrong: ~~I tried lifting the box, but it was too heavy.~~
Right: I tried to lift the box, but it was too heavy.
It was an effort that failed: try to.

Test yourself

Question 1 of 5

I tried _____ the window, but it was stuck.

Learn each one in depth

Remember, Stop, Try: When the Meaning ChangesFull lesson

Clarigram

You understand it. Now find it in your own writing.

Paste an email or an essay. Clarigram marks the mistakes you actually make, shows the rule behind each one as a picture, and builds your practice from them.

Check my writing See plans

Questions people ask

Which one gives advice?

Usually try doing: Try going to bed earlier. You suggest an easy action and see if it works. Try to do is about effort: Try to be patient.

Try doing

Try to do

Meaning

Do it to see what happens

Make an effort; it's hard

Can you do the action?

Yes, easily

Maybe not

Typical use

Advice and solutions

Difficulties and failures

Example

Try adding more salt.

Try to stay calm.

Try Doing vs Try to Do

See the difference

The rules side by side

3 mistakes learners make

Test yourself

Learn each one in depth

You understand it. Now find it in your own writing.

Compare other verb patterns

Questions people ask

Try Doing vs Try to Do

See the difference

The rules side by side

3 mistakes learners make

Test yourself

Learn each one in depth

You understand it. Now find it in your own writing.

Compare other verb patterns

Questions people ask