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editing, editing tips, Self-editing, Strong vs Weak Words, Strong Words, Try to vs. Try and, Weak Words, writers, writing, Writing Advice
I was about to fire off a post about my pet peeve when people say “try and” rather than “try to.” “Try to” carries a different meaning than “try and.” Let’s look at two examples . . .
I try and find value in Robin’s blog.
The above sentence means you find value here. You are welcome.
However, if you mean you tried but failed miserably to find any value here, the sentence should read:
I try to find value in Robin’s blog, but it is a vast wasteland of rubbish.
See the difference?
Given my recent misuse of the word “gerund,” I thought I should do my due diligence and research the “try and/try to” issue on Smarty-Pants Google.
What I found by consulting Mr. Know-It-All was a firestorm of controversy over the so-called “and vs to” grammar rule. I’m glad I didn’t trip over my panties on that one.
The rule is mushy and it is a matter of style preference. There are cases where “and” and “to” work equally as well in sentences, but “and” comes across more folksy.
Come to see me after cooking class.
Ooh, what are we making?
Come and see me after the cooking class where I use teaching as my excuse for overeating.
~~~~~
Watch to learn how I make potpie.
Yeah! Potpie! I love potpie!
Watch and learn how I make a potpie with more calories than your recommended daily allowance.
~~~~~
Exercise hard to work off your potpie induced weight gain.
Damn you. I hate exercising.
Exercise hard and work off those extra pounds caused by our caloric orgy.
Brilliant writing here? Nope. Not even close.
But I hope it makes you think about when you want to use “to” as opposed to “and.” Each has their place, but if you aren’t careful, using the wrong one changes what you are saying.
Robin Coyle 
I just finished reading a book where the author had never understood the difference between “try and” and “try to.” She used “try and” a million times when “try to” is what she meant.
Russel is back! Yeah!
“Try and” grates on my nerves.
On Fri, Mar 15, 2013 at 12:40 PM, Robin Coy
Wow Robyn, thanks for the great lesson! 🙂
You are so welcome.
Wow, have I got a lot to learn and relearn about writing and the English language. I am going to go through and check to, check and see how often I use these tricky little words to and and. I never realized they were so ubiquitous, and sneaky! Thanks for a great post. 🙂
Thanks! Let me know what you find when you check “to” and “and.”
I will 🙂
Speaking of newsreaders and reporters, why do they all persist in saying “have a listen” or “have a look” instead of just saying “listen” or “look”. I don’t know if they do that in America, but Australian reporters do it all the time and it really, really annoys me. Great post by the way…have a read! 🙂
Oh yes! They say that here too. They say “have a” like they are serving up a piece of pie.
I hear these all the time and my teeth ache.
How about, “Come see me.” instead of Come and see to to be on the safe side. Ha ha.
Yeah, like “come and see me” is softer than the terse “come see me.”
A senior manager where I work, once referred to me as the resident pie-man. Not sure I took it well 🙂 That was before my gallbladder went on strike. Maybe, thinking back, that contributed to the problem …
… anyway. the to v and problem. The number of times I’ve read sentences that don’t really mean what the writer thought it meant. We have so MANY things to think about. Thank you for reminding us of all of them. 🙂
So, my new name for you is Mr. Resident Pie-Man.
Well, Mr. Pie, I too think that we need to be careful to say what we mean to say. Make those words do their job, rather than bossing us around!
You certainly make writing rules a lot of fun! 😉
Ha! I guilted you into putting down that house and coming over here.
She sure does.
You make me laugh, Robin. I know it’s not the point of your blog, but I really enjoy your witty personality.
Thanks for the helpful writing tip. 🙂
Hope you’re doing well with your parents…I think about you often and wonder how you’re doing…
Since grammar can be as dry as toast, I like to infuse a little fun. Actually, I don’t like to think I am talking about grammar . . . I’m no expert. I like to think I write about word choice. I’m delighted I made you laugh.
You are so sweet to ask about my folks. They are doing amazingly well. Well, not my mom, as Alzheimer’s waves a cruel hand, but at least she has stabilized. My dad may be out on the golf course soon. I never thought that would happen again. He was so close to what we thought was the end. As for me, the worry has eased greatly.
I’m glad to hear your dad is doing so much better…golf? Wow, what a good turn. Sorry about your mom. Alzheimer’s is such a beast. My family knows it well.
Glad you’re doing well…
After all he has been through and at the age of 89, I didn’t think I would ever again use the words “golf” and “dad” in the same sentence.
Good reminder, Robin! I bet I have said ‘try and’ verbally, especially because it’s easier to say when I’m speaking quickly. But I don’t think I have ever used it in my writing — it does sound folksy. That’s a good way to describe it.
I bet you will hear yourself say “try and” now. I thought I never used it in my writing, but sure enough, I had a couple!
Just wanted to let you know that I am on the lookout for an excuse to use the term “caloric orgy.”
The Food Network should do a cooking show titled “The Caloric Orgy.” Let me know how you work “caloric orgy” into your next conversation. You might not want to use it in your children’s books, tho.
Interesting. Never noticed this one before. Thanks.
How’s the book?
Darn you! I haven’t touched it. I’ll answer these comments and then get on it. I keep thinking, “let me just finish this or that, or read some more blogs, and THEN I’ll edit.” Then poof! The day is gone.
Ha! Good one.
Thanks. “Try and” vs “try to” isn’t earth shattering, but it is worth thinking about.
Nice post, Robin!
But about the potpie….I thought we were having worms and gnats!!
This is useful though! I always though “try to” was the only correct way actually.But now this makes more sense!
I would never let you down. It is worm and gnat potpie! (Everyone reading this comment is thinking Robin and Natalie have lost their minds.)
In some cases, “try to” is the only choice. After that, it is a matter of style preference. I have to say my preference is always “try to see, “come to see,” “word hard to,” etc. It sounds cleaner to me.
Haha now you made me laugh! We might be slightly insane, but it’s okay. I am looking forward for the robin and gnat potpie! But maybe skip the exersicing though??
I will keep that in mind! 🙂
I don’t have “try and” on my list, but I do have “try to.” I’ve never had so many people “try to” do stuff in my life. There was also a lot of “trying to.” I’ll have to watch for “tos” and “ands” in my next book. I see in my notes, I reduced “try to” from 53 instances down to 38 in Sunshine Hunter. If I would look at those again today, I’m sure they could be reduced more. It never ends, does it? 🙂
I forgot I did a post over the summer on “try” and “attempt.” I bet that is why you have “try” on your list. This post’s issue is related to the other, but is different. And no, it never ends. But the problems get smaller and less frequent, right?
The problems do become less frequent. My last two books were much easier than the others. Yes, I grasped the and/to differences here, and am clueless as to whether or not that particular usage was a problem for me – but I am going to find out, and will definitely be watching for it in the future.
A topic I am thinking about revisiting is “it.” Remember that one? “It” about killed me.
I do remember. The word is definitely a problem for me. I catch myself rewriting sentences even in my blog comments so that what I’m talking about is spelled out instead of being called an it. Most recently the word book. So much easier – and probably even lazier – to call a book an “it.”
I know exactly what you mean. I do the same thing in comments and blog posts. “It” stops me. Since we have so many new friends here, “it” might be worth talking about again.
I agree. Discussing “it” is a good topic for everyone here, whether used in writing or commenting. I’m in for the refresher! 🙂
I think everyone has beaten me to the good lines. 😉 Even Strunk and White bow to the colloquial use but suggest “try to” should be used in formal writing. Languages are constantly evolving, and this is one of many changes we’re seeing in our lifetimes!
Off topic here, but I am watching Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson’s (former NBA player) State of the City address on TV. He just said three times, “Where is Bobby AT?” while trying to find him in the audience to acknowledge the guy’s accomplishments in the community. Ending his sentence is question in a preposition? Sets my teeth on edge!
I’ll try to remember or is that and?
I’d say “try to remember . . . ” Or better yet, “I will remember . . . “
Tried and true….
:o)
And try, try, try again!
I really tried to read your post from beginning to end but I couldn’t. So now you try and make me do it! 😉
Seriously? Could you not work your way through my explanation?
Didn’t you catch my use of “try to” and “try and”. I thought it was a great example of what you just taught me.
Oh good. I was afraid I missed target terribly! This one was hard to write . . .
Did I use them right? I think I did. Did I?
Oh yes!
Sorry you missed the joke in my first response. 😦
Ha! I focused in on the part where you couldn’t finish the post. When did my skin get so thin? I like to think I am thick-headed, I mean thick-skinned.
I’d take being thick-skinned over thick headed any day! 🙂
I’m asking because I hear so many people use them incorrectly, it’s hard to know which way is right anymore.
You nailed it!
I probably use ‘try and’ because it sounds right to me! I’m not arguing with you, I accept that it isn’t right, I’m just saying that because it sounds right to my ear I probably use it! I shall have to try and watch out for that (ha!).
I think we say “try and” more than we write “try and” because it is colloquialism. But it can change the meaning of the sentence. But try to get it right and all is good.
Preaching to the choir. I try to stop the abusers but I only try and fail.
Then we should try and work together as a team. I mean, I mean, try to work together as a team.
I could have used your skills when I was writing my first book, Robin!
And how….
You can always to a second edition! Or use your new skills on book number two!
I have some hard decisions to make…
But first, my daughter needs my help with her writing, as well.
Quite a few of the readers of this series are young writers. Maybe your daughter can pick up a thing or two here while you are busy bellman-ing.
Not a bad idea, Robin!
Thanks!
I’m just going to quietly say that I’ve been planning a conjunctions post that in no way is related to this. 🙂 xoxoxoxo
I shall brace myself.
It’s all good. Just weirdly coincidental that we’re on the same wave length. 🙂
I saw the intro of this post in my emails, and went uh oh… because what you say about “try and” being folksy is correct. I was a country kid and much as I am aware that what was common usage and pronunciation back there, back then isn’t now… you can take the girl out of the country but you can’t take the country out of the girl 😉
There is nothing wrong with folksy. I lean that way often. One does when one’s writing/speaking style is conversational.
As usual, you make me think about what I write vs. what I want to write. More importantly, you make me smile. Ah, comfort, not style!
I love it when I make you smile.
I hope folks know I am not preaching. I think a writer needs to be comfortable with the words coming out of their head. I just like to give food for thought.
I’m making potpie for David’s visit tomorrow to try to make him happy! I make excellent potpie and will try and make it when you come to visit!
Ha ha! I am sure I will try and help you make the potpies! Try to say hello to David for me.
I have to try and see if I will remember to try to use ‘to’ and ‘and’ correctly as suggested.
Try and let me know how it goes. Or, you can try to let me know how it goes.
In the Midwest, a lot of the guys say “and then you take, and you put the whatever on the whatever.” I’ve known guys who will put “and then you take” on at the beginning of each step they’re trying to explain. Why do they even put it in there? Drives me up the wall.
That is funny. It sure sounds down-home. I did a post in the series on the word “then.” And “then” if you want to take a peek, here is the link:
https://robincoyle.wordpress.com//?s=then&search=Go
“I’m glad I didn’t trip over my panties on that one.”—Jeez, just how big are those things?…
Great post. I’m not sure if I’ve made this error or not. Chances are good that I have. I’ll have to pay more attention. Or else I’ll just stop using the word ‘try.’ That would solve things.
They are pretty darn big. Can’t buy them at Victoria’s Secret. I have to go to the Tractor Supply store.
Now that you’ve heard it, you will notice people say “Try and” all the time. Especially news anchors. “We are going to try and get a report on scene.”