Unit 57: Verb + -ing or to ... 2 (try/need/help)

English Grammar in Use With Answers » Unit 57: Verb + -ing or to ... 2 (try/need/help)

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.

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)

Help and can't help

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

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)

57.1 Make suggestions. Use try + one of the following:

phone his office
restart it
~~change the batteries~~
turn it the other way
take an aspirin

The radio isn't working.
Have you ?
I can't open the door. The key won't turn.
Try __________ .
The computer isn't working properly.
Have you tried __________ ?
Fred isn't answering his phone. What shall I do?
You could __________ .
I've got a terrible headache. I wish it would go.
Have you __________ ?

57.2 For each picture, write a sentence with need(s) + one of the following verbs:

~~clean~~
cut
empty
paint
tighten

This jacket is dirty. .
The room isn't very nice. It __________ .
The grass is very long. __________ .
The screws are loose. __________ .
The bin is full. __________ .

57.3 Put the verb into the correct form.

I was very tired. I tried ⁽¹⁾ (keep) my eyes open, but I couldn't.
I rang the doorbell, but there was no answer. Then I tried ⁽²⁾ __________ (knock) on the door, but there was still no answer.
We tried ⁽³⁾ __________ (put) the fire out but without success. We had to call the fire brigade.
Sue needed to borrow some money. She tried ⁽⁴⁾ __________ (ask) Gary, but he was short of money too.
I tried ⁽⁵⁾ __________ (reach) the shelf, but I wasn't tall enough.
Please leave me alone. I'm trying ⁽⁶⁾ __________ (concentrate).
I need a change. I need ⁽⁷⁾ __________ (go) away for a while.
My grandmother isn't able to look after herself any more. She needs ⁽⁸⁾ __________ (look) after .
The windows are dirty. They need ⁽⁹⁾ __________ (clean).
Your hair is getting very long. It needs ⁽¹⁰⁾ __________ (cut).
You don't need ⁽¹¹⁾ __________ (iron) that shirt. It doesn't need ⁽¹²⁾ __________ (iron).
They were talking very loudly. I couldn't help ⁽¹³⁾ __________ (overhear) what they said.
Can you help me ⁽¹⁴⁾ __________ (get) the dinner ready?
He looks so funny. Whenever I see him, I can't help ⁽¹⁵⁾ __________ (smile).
The fine weather helped ⁽¹⁶⁾ __________ (make) it a really nice holiday.

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