ENGLISH
REFERENCE

try and

fixed phr..
B1 Intermediate Oxford

fixed phr.. you use this when you plan to do something difficult or make an effort to achieve a goal.

fixed phr.. a colloquial alternative to 'try to' followed by a bare infinitive; functions as a pseudo-coordinated construction to express intention or effort.


SIMPLE

I will try and call you later tonight.

CONTEXTUAL

We should try and finish the report before the weekend so we can relax.

COMPLEX

While formal writing requires 'try to', many speakers try and use this coordinated form in casual conversation to sound more natural and less stiff.

Usage

used almost exclusively in the present tense or imperative; it is rarely used in the past tense as 'tried and'.

Teaching tip

explain that 'try and' is very common in spoken English but should be replaced by 'try to' in formal essays or exams.

Pitfall

He tried and fixed the car.He tried to fix the car.the 'try and' structure is generally restricted to the base form of the verb and sounds unnatural in the past tense.

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