Dave - wonderful observations.  These little vagaries of the language serve
to remind us how treacherous it can be.  If you start down a path, it can
lead you into places where you don't want to be.  For example, as you point
out, the verb "to try" has implications about your attitude regarding the
results of your efforts.  So watch out what word you choose - you may be
forced into a meaning that you don't intend!


At 03:15 PM 8/2/01 -0400, you wrote:
>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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