"try to do" or "try doing"

[Sunflower.baby]

Hi all,

I got confused when reading the following statements: "Ability to try finishing the assigned tasks by all means" during answering the questionnaires.

But i think it should be "Ability to try to finish...", Am I correct?

Appreciate any comments from you!

[Alan]

Hi,

'Try to' suggests 'make an effort' as in: Try to improve your knowledge by working harder. 'Try doing' recommends that you do something as an experiment or a trial as in: Try studying earlier in the morning when you are less tired.

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

[Sunflower.baby]

Hi Alan,

I understood your comments but I still don't know which one is correct for my sentence. Or do you mean both are correct?

The context of the sentence is when my manager asked me during the performance review meeting.

Thanks again...
sunflower.babe

[Alan]

Hi,

Back to your original question - I agree that after 'ability' it would be preferable to say: try to finish, as this is a constant quality rather than something suggesting an experiment or trial.

Alan
_________________
English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Progressive Forms

[Sunflower.baby]

Thank you very much Alan for your explanation.