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LoveCZ Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
To + infinitive / +ing? how to decide when to use which
See the sentences below and choose the correct one(s):
Q.What is your dream?
A. My dream is to go to California.
A2. My dream is going to California. (seems... weird though)
Q. Why you did not call me?
A. I have tried calling you.
A2. I have tried to call you.
Q. Have you ever tried reaching the summit of that mountain?
Q2. Have you ever tried to reach the summit of that mountain?
A.I have tried to reach it.
A2. I have tried reaching it.
Would you mind sharing your experience of when to use which?
Q.What is your dream?
A. My dream is to go to California.
A2. My dream is going to California. (seems... weird though)
Q. Why you did not call me?
A. I have tried calling you.
A2. I have tried to call you.
Q. Have you ever tried reaching the summit of that mountain?
Q2. Have you ever tried to reach the summit of that mountain?
A.I have tried to reach it.
A2. I have tried reaching it.
Would you mind sharing your experience of when to use which?
Top answer
The infinitive in this sort of structure generally refers to a future accomplishment, while the -ing form generally refers to the durational experience. In your examples, the infinitive is cetainly indicated in #1 and #3, while either form seems to work in #2.
- The infinitive in this sort of structure generally refers to a future accomplishment, while the -ing form generally refers to the durational experience.
- In your examples, the infinitive is cetainly indicated in #1 and #3, while either form seems to work in #2.
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2 Answers
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The infinitive in this sort of structure generally refers to a future accomplishment, while the -ing form generally refers to the durational experience. In your examples, the infinitive is cetainly indicated in #1 and #3, while either form seems to work in #2.
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The infinitive in this sort of structure generally refers to a future accomplishment, while the -ing form generally refers to the durational experience. In your examples, the infinitive is cetainly indicated in #1 and #3, while either form seems to work in #2.
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hi loveCZ...let me refresh my memory. uhmn..
Q. Why you did not call me? -- Why didn't you call me?
A. I have tried calling you.
A2. I have tried to call you.
try to do something = attempt to do, make an effort to do
so we say, "I've tried to call you but I couldn't get through."
Try doing something = do something as an experiment or test
Q. Why you did not call me? -- Why didn't you call me?
A. I have tried calling you.
A2. I have tried to call you.
try to do something = attempt to do, make an effort to do
so we say, "I've tried to call you but I couldn't get through."
Try doing something = do something as an experiment or test
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