Unit 57. Verb + -ing or to ... 2 (try / need / help)

Unit 57; Part A

Try to ... and try -ing
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 also means 'do something as an experiment or test'. For example:
•    These cakes are delicious. You should try one. (= you should 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!

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

Unit 57; Part B

Need to ... and need -ing
I need to do something = it is necessary for me to do it:
57.1.jpg

•    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 = it 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)

Unit 57; Part C

Help and can't help
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 to move this table?    or
      Can you help me 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

1 Make suggestions.

Make suggestions. Each time use try + one of the following suggestions:

phone his office move the aerial change the batteries
turn it the other way take an aspirin

2 For each picture, write a sentence.

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

57.3.jpg

1    This jacket is dirty. It needs cleaning.
1    The room isn't very nice. ________________________
3    The grass is very long. It ________________________
4    The screws are loose. ________________________
5    The bin is full. ________________________

3 Put the verb into the correct form.

Put the verb into the correct form.

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 without success. 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   My grandmother isn't able to look after herself any more. She needs __________ (look) after.
   c   The windows are dirty. They need __________ (clean).
    d   Your hair is getting very long. It needs __________ (cut).
   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) what they said.
   b   Can you help me __________ (get) the dinner ready?
   с   He looks so funny. Whenever I see him, I can't help __________ (smile).
   d   The fine weather helped __________ (make) it a very enjoyable holiday.

Unit 56 Unit 57 Unit 58

Всё больше людей в последнее время интересуются здоровым образом жизни и здоровым питанием. Сыроедение – это особая форма вегетарианства, но более строгая и жесткая, которая становится все более популярной у множества людей.