I agree that both the infinite and gerund are objects (noun phrases): "I've
tried to improve...," "I've tried improving...." Curiously, however, I
don't read them as synonymous.

I read the gerund sentence "I've tried Xing" as meaning I actually did it
but wasn't pleased with the results: "I've tried sleeping with a night
light, but I was scared anyway."

I read the infinitive sentence "I've tried to X" as meaning I tried but did
not necessarily succeed in doing it: "I've tried to overcome my fear of
snakes."

That difference isn't there with other verbs: "I like surfing," "I like to
surf." On the other hand, there is a difference between "I'd like surfing"
and "I'd like to surf." The former is a hypothetical consideration, while
the latter is expressing an actual desire. Anyone have thoughts on these?

Dick Veit

At 03:47 PM 8/2/2001, Dalia Stein wrote:
>It is a noun and the object of the verb just as a gerund can be the object
>of the verb "try" : I've tried improving my grades, but haven't succeeded
>yet.

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