057 : Verb + -ing or to … 2 (try, need, help)

   A   

Try to ... and try -ing

 

 

Try to do = attempt to do, make an effort to do:

• I was very tired. I tried to keep my eyes open, but I couldn't.
• Please try to be quiet when you come home. Everyone will be asleep.

 

Try also means 'do something as an experiment or test'. For example:

• These cakes are delicious. You should try one. (= you should have one to see if you like it)
• We couldn't find anywhere to stay. We tried every hotel in the town, but they were all full. (= we went to every hotel to see if they had a room)

If try (with this meaning) is followed by a verb, we say try -ing:

• A: The photocopier doesn't seem to be working.
  B: Try pressing the green button.
  (= press the green button - perhaps this will help to solve the problem)

 

Compare:

• I tried to move the table, but it was too heavy. (so I couldn't move it)
• I didn't like the way the furniture was arranged, so I tried moving the table to the other side of the room. But it didn't look right, so I moved it back again.

 

 

   B   

Need to ... and need -ing

 

 

I need to do something = it is necessary for me to do it:

• I need to get more exercise.
• He needs to work harder if he wants to make progress.
• I don't need to come to the meeting, do I?

 

Something needs doing = it needs to be done:

• My phone needs charging. (= it needs to be charged)
• Do you think this jacket needs cleaning? (= ... needs to be cleaned)
• It's a difficult problem. It needs thinking about very carefully. (= it needs to be thought about)

 

 

   C   

Help and can't help

 

 

You can say help to do or help do (with or without to):  (준사역동사)

• Everybody helped to clean up after the party.   or   Everybody helped clean up ...
• Can you help me to move this table?   or   Can you help me move ...

 

I can't help doing something = I can't stop myself doing it:

• I don't like him, but he has a lot of problems. I can't help feeling sorry for him.
• She tried to be serious, but she couldn't help laughing. (= she couldn't stop herself laughing)
• I'm sorry I'm so nervous. I can't help it. (= I can't help being nervous)

 

 

 

 

※ photocopier :

 

 

26. Photocopier

 

 

 

※ progress :

 

 

 

 

※ need :

 

 

 

need :

1. to require something/somebody because they are essential or very important, not just because you would like to have them

• need something/somebody // Do you need any help?
• need to do something // I need to get some sleep.
• something needs doing // This shirt needs washing.

 

2. need to do something : used to show what you should or have to do

• All you need to do is complete this form.
• I didn't need to go to the bank after all—Mary lent me the money.
• You may well need to look outside your preferred area to find affordable accommodation.

 

 

 

※ necessary :

 

1. = essential

• necessary to do something // It may be necessary to buy a new one.
• necessary for somebody to do something // It doesn't seem necessary for us to meet.
• necessary for something // Food is necessary for survival.
• if necessary // If necessary, you can contact me at home.

 

2. = inevitable

• This is a necessary consequence of progress.
• There is no necessary connection between what is legal and what is moral. [=what is legal does not always have to be moral and what is moral does not always have to be legal]

 

 

 

※ inevitable :