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. To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list" Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/