Try to save Vs Try Saving

Question

I was not able to find the error in this sentence:

You must really make an effort; stop making excuses and try saving some money each month from wages this year.

The correct answer was: Try to save some money

I am confused. I cannot understand why Try saving some money is the incorrect part of the sentence.

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

Using the gerund is not grammatically wrong.
The verb try can be followed by either infinitive or gerund, but the infinitive is used many times more often.

Goodman · Answer

With this constructed context, infnitive is the logically correct choice. But with proper contexts, either gerund or infinitive may work.

I've tried to save $500 a month to start a small business, but it 's much too difficult.

I 've tried saving $500 a month to start a small business, but it 's much too difficult.

My opinion is that "Saving" in this context isn't entirely gramamtically wrong but sounds logically unfit as "saving" is the act which is to be achievedn and "to save" is the goal.

Yankee · Answer

Hi chiageraldine

In your sentence, using the gerund (saving) is just fine.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

I was not able to find the error in this sentence:

You must really make an effort; stop making excuses and try saving some money each month from wages this year.

I see nothing wrong with . . . try saving . . .

I do have two concerns about this sentence.

One is the lack of parallelism. The part before the semi-colon is an indicative statement, but the part after it consists of two imperatives. This is not good style.

My other concern is that it is very unnatural to write 'wages' here without a determiner, eg 'from your wages'. Again, poor style, in my opinion.

Best wishes, Clive

Chiageraldine · Answer

Thanks for all the help guys! <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

Chiageraldine · Answer

Thanks for the help. This question was actually from one of the english tests i took for practice. I just got confused with the right answer provided. My answer was WAGES which I corrected to YOUR WAGES.

*** bless everyone who posted their replies. Thank you!

By the way, how can i practice writing and speaking english well? Do you have any suggestions or books that i can buy so i always have handy information? I really want to learn to write and speak PERFECT english. If you may ask, I am a frustrated writer blush. I want to learn how to write in different styles, like creative, technical, editorial, etc etc etc but unfortunately, dont have the money to take courses. Sigh. I hope im not too old for that.

Anyway, thanks again. Take care

Try to save Vs Try Saving

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