"try to do something" and "try doing something"

[Tofu]

Hello Alan, Mister Micawber, Beeesneees, Mordant, Esl_Expert and other native English speakers,

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1. I tried to call her, but the line was busy.
2. I tried calling her, but the line was busy.
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Although "try to do something" and "try doing something" don't mean the same thing, both make sense, don't they? However, #1 doesn't make sense, followed by "but the line was busy," does it?

[Mordant]

"Try" with a gerund usually means to complete an act intended to solve a problem. It can also just mean to attempt an act.

"Try to" usually just means to attempt an act, although it can take the "perform to solve" meaning.

So there are many cases where either works, including your example. Number one makes sense as is.

Below, the talk took place but failed to achieve the desired outcome. And it makes sense either way.

Were you able to persuade Lucy to come around?
I tried to talk to her, but she would not change her mind.

Or

I tried talking to her, but she would not change her mind.

[Tofu]

Thank you, Mordant.

In #1, the speaker attempted to call her, didn't he? How could he have been able to know that the line was busy?

[Mordant]

Tofu, the call was actually made, but the intent behind it failed. People talk that way all the time, though.

[Tofu]

He tried to eat some cake, but...
Did he actually eat it?

[Mordant]

No, Tofu. Although I could imagine "He tried to eat the cake, but he wasn't able to keep it down." The context will make it clear.

[Tofu]

I tried to call her, but the line was busy.
The speaker didn't make a phone call to her, didn't he? How could people have known the line was busy?

[Mordant]

Tofu, please see my post above again.

He tried to write a novel, but it wasn't published.

This does not mean a novel wasn't written. All it says is that the attempt was made. The contrast lies in the failure of the goal behind it.

I like him, but he should treat her better.

"But" shows contrast, but it doesn't mean that speaker dislikes the man, does it?

If we knew the novel was completed, it would be clearer to say "He wrote a novel, but it wasn't published." That does not mean "try" does not make sense, though.

[Remula]

Hi, Mordant

I really don't see any difference between them, altough I read that try to is used when smb attempt or effort to do smth, but try ing is used when smb do smth for experiment. In examples efforts and experiments mix like those mentioned above:

I tried to talk to her, but she would not change her mind.

Or

I tried talking to her, but she would not change her mind.

Tofu, I think youl should catch it from context. There is no other way :(

best regards

[Tofu]

I'm getting more and more confused. Let me give up here, Mordant. Sorry.

[Mordant]

Remula, it comes down to making an attempt every time. The distinction is frail and one of frequency.

Do you do any exercise?
I try to ride my bike twice a week.

The infinitive seems to be more common in that context, but the gerund would still satisfy grammar and usage.

The computer is acting funny.
I tried rebooting it last night, but I see it didn't solve anything.

The gerund seems more common in that context. But the infinitive would still satisfy grammar and usage. The act was attempted in order to solve a problem. In this case, the problem was not solved.

[Mordant]

Tofu, disregard it all.

This much is true. To try is to attempt but not necessarily to fail.

I tried to call her. = The attempt was made.

But the line was busy. = This is what happened as a result of the attempt.

"But" shows contrast, but what follows doesn't invalidate what precedes it.

He obviously intended to speak with her, and since that did not happen, "but" is justified.

[Remula]

In a word, it depends on writer's purpose. If he thinks that it's an attempt he uses to, if he thinks it's an experiment, he uses ing. For example, riding bike may be interpreted both as an effort and as an experiment at the same time. But for the last sentence I think ing is more typical.

My God, how it's difficult!

[Beeesneees]

As Mordant says:
I tried to call her: I picked up the telephone and dialled the number.
but the line was busy: I heard a 'busy' tone on the line and so I could not complete the call by connecting to the other party.

An example of an extension:
"I tried to call her earlier but the line was busy. I'm going to try to call her again now.
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Cheers m' dears!

[Alan]

Hi Tofu,

Are you still there? This is a very trying thread, isn't it?

Try this:

A What are you doing?

B I'm trying to turn my computer on but the stupid thing won't start.

A Have you tried taking the plug out of the socket and then trying to start it again.

B OK I'll try that.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple