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Roky0071 Posted 6 years ago
Grammar

Is trying to please or is to try to please

Here is a quote,

“I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.”

- Bill Cosby

1. My question is, 'why is the gerund used here in this sentence ''is trying to please everybody.” not the infinitive ''is to try to please everybody.”?

2. Can I use both of them in the same place without changing the meaning?

  

Top answer

roky0071 1. ”? It's the speaker's choice.

— CalifJim

  • roky0071 1.
  • ”?
  • It's the speaker's choice.
  • Both are used.
  • roky0071 2.
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1 Answers
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roky00711. My question is, 'why is the gerund used here in this sentence ''is trying to please everybody.” not the infinitive ''is to try to please everybody.”?

It's the speaker's choice. Both are used.

roky00712. Can I use both of them in the same place without changing the meaning?

Yes, you can use either one.

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