Unit 57 · -ing and to …
Verb + -ing or to ... 2 (try, need, help)
Study
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 something or try doing something = do it as an experiment or test:
These cakes are delicious. You should try one. (= 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)
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. (I tried moving it = I moved it to see if it looked better)
I need to do something = it is necessary for me to do it:
He needs to work harder if he wants to make progress.
I don't need to come to the meeting, do I?
You can say that something needs -ing:
My phone needs charging. (= it needs to be charged)
Does your suit need cleaning? (= ... need to be cleaned)
It's a difficult problem. It needs thinking about carefully. (= it needs to be thought about carefully)
Compare:
I need to charge my phone.
but My phone needs charging.
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 move this table? or
Can you help me to 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)
Exercises (4)
Put the verb into the correct form.
- 1I was very tired. I tried my eyes open, but I couldn't. (keep)example
- 2I tried the shelf, but I wasn't tall enough. (reach)
- 3I rang the doorbell, but there was no answer. Then I tried on the window, but there was still no answer. (knock)
- 4We tried the fire out, but without success. We had to call the fire brigade. (put)
- 5Please leave me alone. I'm trying . (concentrate)
- 6Sue needed to borrow some money. She tried Carl, but he didn't have any. (ask)
- 7Mr Bennett isn't here right now. Please try later. (call)
- 8The woman's face was familiar. I tried where I'd seen her before. (remember)
- 9If you have a problem with the computer, try it. (restart)
For each picture, write a sentence with need(s) + one of the following verbs:
- 1
This room isn't very nice. It .example - 2
The grass is very long. It . - 3
The windows are dirty. They . - 4
The screws are loose. . - 5
The bin is full. .
Which is right?
- 1We spend too much time sitting down. We need getting / to get more exercise.
- 2These clothes are dirty. They all need washing / to wash.
- 3My grandmother isn't able to look after herself any more. She needs looking / to look after.
- 4I can't make a decision right now. I need thinking / to think about it.
- 5Your hair is getting very long. It will need cutting / to cut soon.
- 6I need a change. I need going / to go away for a while.
- 7That shirt looks fine. You don't need ironing / to iron it.
- 8That shirt looks fine. It doesn't need ironing / to iron.
Put the verb into the correct form.
- 1I don't like him, but I can't help sorry for him. (feel)example
- 2I've lost my phone. Can you help me for it? (look)
- 3They were talking very loudly. We couldn't help what they said. (overhear)
- 4He looks so funny. Whenever I see him, I can't help . (smile)
- 5The fine weather helped it a really nice holiday. (make)
- 6Did you help the meeting? (organise)
- 7I think about what happened all the time. I can't help about it. (think)
- 8I can't help you a job. You have to find one yourself. (get)