Attempting

Question

try attempetting the task you were trying to do before.

why attemeptting word is placed here?

is it adjective, but I know the article "the" precedes adjectives.

can I write it as following:

try the task you were trying to do before.

Markroe · Accepted Answer

alkenditry attempetting the task you were trying to do before. why attemeptting word is placed here?is it adjective, but I know the article "the" precedes adjectives.can I write it as following:try the task you were trying to do before.

Attempt (attempting) means the same as try (trying). It is a verb, not an adjective.

"Try the task you were trying to do before" is correct, but if you don't want to repeat the word try/trying, you could say, "Try the task you were attempting to do before." You can leave out the words "to do": "Try the task you were attempting before" or "Try the task you attempted before."

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Try attempting the task you were trying to do before.

It is a complex sentence. Here is an analysis of this sentence, starting with a very simple form:

1) Try it. - The verb is "try" and the object is "it".
2) Try jumping into the pool. - The verb is "try" and the object is "jumping"

You see, you can use the -ing verb form like a noun. This has a special name: gerund.
Jumping into the pool is fun. (What is fun? Jumping!)
Try jumping into the pool. Try what? Jumping!

3) Try attempting the task. - The verb is "try" and the object is "attempting". "the task" is the object of the gerund. A gerund is used as a noun, but it still "remembers" that it is a verb, and can have an object.

Now, what task are they talking about? - The task that you were trying to do before.

Try attempting the task (that) you were trying to do before.

There is a much simpler way to say this:
Try to do the task again.

Regards,
A-

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Attempting

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