Конструкции "try/need/help doing" или "try/need/help to do"

Изучаем речевые конструкции английского языка, для построения которых использован глаголы try/need/help с инговым ( -ing) окончанием или в которых после глагола стоит частичка «to». То есть обороты типа try/need/help doing smth. или try/need/help to do smth.

И практикуемся в использовании таких английских предложений.

A. Try to do … и try doing…

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 = do something as an experiment or test’. For example:

These cakes are delicious. You must try one. (= you must 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)

If try (with this meaning) is followed by a verb, we say try -ing:

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)

Cравните

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 still didn’t look right, so I moved it back again.

B. Need to do … и need doing

I need to do something = it is necessary for me to do it:

I need to take more exercise.
He needs to work harder if he wants to make progress.
I don’t need to come to the meeting, do I?

Something needs doing = something needs to be done:

The batteries in the radio need changing. (= they need to be changed)
Do you think my jacket needs cleaning? (= …needs to be cleaned)
It’s a difficult problem. It needs thinking about very carefully. (= it needs to be thought about)

C. Help to do и can’t help doing

You can say ‘help to do’ or ‘help do‘ (infinitive with or without to)

Everybody helped to clean up after the party, or Everybody helped clean up…
Can you help me to move this table? or Can you help me move…

There is also an expression ‘can’t/couldn’t help doing something‘ = I can’t stop myself from 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 from laughing)
I’m sorry I’m so nervous. I can’t help it. (= I can’t help being nervous)

EXERCISES

1 Make helpful suggestions. Each time write a sentence using try + one of the following suggestions:

phone him at work move the aerial change the batteries turn it the other way take an aspirin

1. The radio isn’t working. I wonder what’s wrong with it.

Have you. tried changing the batteries?..………………………………………………………………….

2. I can’t open the door. The key won’t turn.

Try ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….

3. The TV picture isn’t very good. What can I do about it?

Have you ………………………………………………………………………………………………….

4. I can’t contact Fred. He’s not at home. What shall I do?

Why don’t you ……………………………………………………………………………………….

5. I’ve got a terrible headache. I wish it would go.

Have you ……………………………………………………………………………………………….

2 For each phrase write a sentence with need(s) + one of the following verbs:

clean cut empty redecorate tighten

Her jacket is dirty, …It needs cleaning
The grass is very long. It ……………………………………………………………………………
The room isn’t very nice. …………………………………………………………………………….
The screws are loose…………………………………………………………………………………….
The bin is full. ……………………………………………………………………………………………

3 Put the verb into the correct form, -ing or to… .

1 a I was very tired. I tried …to keep (keep) my eyes open but I couldn’t.
b I rang the doorbell but there was no answer. Then I tried ………………. (knock) on the door, but there was still no answer.
c We tried …………………. (put) the fire out but we were unsuccessful. We had to call the fire brigade.
d Sue needed to borrow some money. She tried ……….. (ask) Gerry but he was short of money too.
e I tried …………………………………………… (reach) the shelf but I wasn’t tall enough.
f Please leave me alone. I’m trying …………………………………………… (concentrate).

2 a I need a change. I need ……………. (go) away for a while.
b She isn’t able to look after herself. She needs …………… (look) after.
c The windows are dirty. They need …………………………………….. (clean).
d Why are you leaving now? You don’t need …………………………………………… (go) yet, do you?
e You don’t need ………………………… (iron) that shirt. It doesn’t need …………………………….. (iron).

3 a They were talking very loudly. I couldn’t help …………………. (overhear) them.
b Can you help me …………(get) the dinner ready?
c He looks so funny. Whenever I see him, I can’t help ………………… (smile).
d The fine weather helped ………………………(make) it a very enjoyable holiday.