Try to do or try doing something? Learn when to use them correctly.

The verb ‘try’ can be followed by either an infinitive (to) verb or a gerund (-ing) verb, but the two constructions have different meanings. So, how do you know whether to use try to do or try doing in any given sentence?

Here we’ll take a look at what it means when you try to do something vs try doing something. The example sentences we have included should help make everything clear for you with these commonly confused words.

Try to do vs try doing

As with other easily mixed-up words such as stop to do vs stop doing and like to do vs like doing, there is a clear difference in meaning between try to do and try doing.

Let’s look at how to use each of these correctly.

Try to do something

The structure try to do something, using an infinitive verb, describes an attempt or effort to do, get or achieve something. For example:

• I must try to complete this report by the end of the day.
• Have you ever tried to learn a musical instrument?
• You should try not to drink alcohol more than twice a week.
• He likes to try to beat his sister at chess, but she always wins.
• The children tried to put up the tent by themselves, but in the end they needed to ask their parents for help.

When you use ‘try to do’, it suggests that you may fail or you may succeed in your attempt (or, if in the past, you had the possibility of failing or succeeding).

Try doing something

The structure try doing something describes an experiment or test to achieve a particular outcome. When you try doing something, you always succeed in that action but it may or may not help you achieve your overall goal.

Use this structure when you’re doing something in order to solve a problem. Have a look at these examples:

• I’ve tried altering this recipe so many ways, but the cake never comes out quite right.
• My phone stopped working, so I tried turning it off and on again.
• My colleague doesn’t seem to like me very much, even though I’ve tried inviting him to our social events.
• If you have a sore throat, try drinking honey and lemon mixed with warm water.
• Tomorrow I’m going to try waking up early to meditate. I heard it will keep me feeling calm all day.

So, to summarise the difference between try to do and try doing something:

‘Try to do’ is about an attempt or effort; ‘Try doing’ is about an experiment or trial to achieve a higher goal.

Try and do something

You may sometimes see or hear the structure try and do something. For example:

• Let’s try and finish cooking dinner before our friends arrive.
• Can you try and fix the printer for me please?
• I’m going to try and get some flowers on the way home.

This is used in casual English as a replacement for ‘try to do’ but it’s not strictly correct so should certainly be avoided in formal speech, and in most writing.

Also note that it can’t be used with past tense structures; only to talk about something that will be attempted in the future. If in doubt, stick to using just try to do or try doing.

Try to do or try doing?

With the above explanations in mind, it should be easier to work out why we use try to do or try doing in the following sentences:

• I have tried to talk to Lynn but her assistant keeps telling me she’s unavailable. (I have been unable to talk to her.)
• I have tried talking to Lynn but she’s still angry with me and doesn’t want to listen. (I have talked to her, but it hasn’t resolved the problem.)

• If you’re having trouble sleeping, why don’t you try going to bed earlier?
• I tried going to bed earlier but I still couldn’t sleep until midnight.

• Sasha’s computer is not working. She is trying to fix it by herself.
• Has she tried updating her software?
• She said she has tried everything!

We hope this has helped you understand whether to use try to do or try doing in any particular situation. If you have an example you’re unsure about, please leave a comment below to share it.

Now, why not check out some more confusing words like used to do vs used to doing?