Try Doing vs. Try to Do – Which is Correct?
Both forms are grammatically correct, but they express different ideas. “Try doing” means experiment with an action as a possible solution, while “try to do” means make an effort to accomplish something difficult. Choose “try doing” for suggestions and “try to do” for goals, tasks, or attempts to succeed effectively.
A related guide to To Try To and try-and constructions further clarifies how infinitive choices shape meaning.
Try Doing or Try to Do: Which Is Correct?
Both try doing and try to do are correct English expressions, but they are not interchangeable in every sentence. The difference depends on what follows the verb try.
Use try doing when you suggest experimenting with an action to see whether it helps. The action is treated as a possible method or solution.
Use try to do when someone makes an effort to complete a particular action. The action may be difficult, uncertain, or unsuccessful.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the experiment test: if you could replace the phrase with “experiment with this solution,” use try doing. If you could replace it with “make an effort,” use try to do.
For example, Try restarting the computer suggests a possible solution. However, Try to restart the computer focuses on making an effort to restart it, perhaps because the computer is frozen or difficult to operate.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| try doing | Verb + gerund | Experiment with an action as a possible solution | Try adding more water to the soup. |
| try to do | Verb + infinitive | Make an effort to complete an action | I’ll try to finish the report tonight. |
How to Use Try Doing
Try doing is used when someone recommends an action as an experiment, remedy, or possible way to solve a problem. The gerund after try names the activity being tested.
This construction is common in advice, instructions, troubleshooting, and casual conversation. It often sounds practical and solution-focused rather than formal.
Example 1: If you cannot sleep, try drinking some warm milk.
Example 2: Try taking a different route to avoid the traffic.
Example 3: The sauce tastes bland, so try adding a little more salt.
Etymology of the Word Try
The verb try comes from Old French trier, meaning “to pick out,” “sort,” or “test.” Over time, its meaning developed to include testing something, making an attempt, and attempting to achieve a result.
How to Use Try to Do
Try to do is used when a person makes an effort to perform an action or reach a goal. The infinitive phrase beginning with to describes the intended action.
This structure is especially appropriate when the action is challenging, requires determination, or may not succeed. It can be used in casual, academic, professional, and formal English.
Example 1: Please try to arrive before the meeting begins.
Example 2: She tried to explain the problem clearly.
Example 3: We are trying to reduce our monthly expenses.
Etymology of the Word Try
The verb try has the same origin in this construction: the Old French verb trier. Its modern sense of making an effort developed from the broader idea of testing or putting something to the test.
Related Concepts
Understanding gerunds and infinitives makes the difference between try doing and try to do much clearer.
- Gerund: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb used as a noun. In try changing the password, changing identifies an action being tested.
- Infinitive: An infinitive usually consists of to plus the base form of a verb. In try to change the password, to change expresses the intended action.
- Verb complementation: Some verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive, but the meaning may change depending on which form follows.
- Action versus result: The gerund after try usually presents an action as an option to test, while the infinitive emphasizes an effort directed toward a result.
Examples from Media and Literature
The contrast appears frequently in advice, dialogue, instructions, journalism, and storytelling. The following examples show how the two patterns work in realistic media contexts.
- Cooking programs: A host might say, “If the dish is too spicy, try adding some yogurt,” presenting an experiment that may improve the recipe.
- Technology articles: A troubleshooting guide may advise, “Try restarting your device,” suggesting a possible fix.
- Film dialogue: A character might say, “I’ll try to contact her tonight,” emphasizing an effort to make contact.
- News reports: A report about emergency services might explain that officials are trying to locate missing hikers, focusing on an ongoing effort.
- Literary fiction: A narrator might write that a character tried to open the locked door, emphasizing the character’s unsuccessful or difficult attempt.
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct phrase, try doing or try to do, to complete each sentence.
- If your back hurts, ______ some gentle stretching.
- I will ______ call you again after lunch.
- ______ lowering the brightness if your eyes feel tired.
- He is ______ learn Spanish before his trip.
- If the printer does not respond, ______ turning it off and on again.
Answer Key
- try doing — The stretching is suggested as a possible remedy.
- try to do — The speaker is making an effort to call.
- try doing — Lowering the brightness is presented as an experiment.
- try to do — Learning Spanish is a goal requiring effort.
- try doing — Restarting the printer is suggested as a troubleshooting step.
Try Doing Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| experiment with | Test an action or method to see whether it works. |
| test | Use something to assess its effectiveness. |
| give something a shot | Attempt or experience a possible option, usually informally. |
| consider | Think about using a particular action or approach. |
Try to Do Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| attempt to | Make an effort to perform an action. |
| endeavor to | Make a serious or determined effort; this is more formal. |
| strive to | Work hard toward a goal. |
| seek to | Aim or intend to accomplish something; this is common in formal writing. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is it correct to say “try doing”?
Yes. Try doing is grammatically correct and means to experiment with an action as a possible solution. For example, Try restarting the router suggests that restarting it might solve the problem.
Question 2: Is “try to do” grammatically correct?
Yes. Try to do is also correct. It means to make an effort to complete an action, as in I tried to open the window.
Question 3: What is the difference between “try doing” and “try to do”?
Try doing presents an action as a possible experiment or solution. Try to do emphasizes the effort required to accomplish an action.
Question 4: Does “try doing” mean that the action will definitely work?
No. It only suggests testing the action to discover whether it works. For example, Try adding more flour does not guarantee that the recipe will improve.
Question 5: Which form is better in professional writing?
Both forms are suitable for professional writing when used correctly. Use try doing for recommendations or troubleshooting steps, and use try to do for goals, responsibilities, and efforts.
Conclusion
Try doing and try to do are both correct, but they communicate different meanings. Use try doing when testing an action as a possible solution, and use try to do when making an effort to accomplish something. Pro Tip: Choosing the precise construction strengthens your clarity and helps maintain a polished, professional reputation.
