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Why you shouldn't say "try do"

Reviewed and edited by Anwar Kareem 20/12/2024, 23:21
English.me team member

What kind of error is it?

Try do or try to do. What's correct?

It is a grammatical error related to improper verb usage in English.

Why do people make this mistake?

People often inadvertently omit the infinitive marker "to" when combining verbs, especially when translating directly from other languages that do not require "to" in similar constructions.

What is correct?

After "try", the correct form is either "to" + base verb (to indicate an attempt) or verb-ing (to suggest experimentation).

Examples of correct usage

  • I will try to finish the project on time.
  • You should try to solve the problem.
  • He is trying to learn Spanish.
  • Try eating more vegetables to stay healthy.
  • They tried climbing the mountain but stopped halfway.

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