Give it a try!
 
Notifications
Clear all

Give it a try!

Posts: 239
Topic starter
(@mrafee)
Member
Joined: 13 years ago

Which is correct?

1. I'll give it a try doing something

2. I'll give a try doing something

3. I'll give it a try to do something


3 Replies
Posts: 0
Guest
(@Anonymous)
Joined: 1 second ago

"It" needs an antecedent. Β  That is a noun or noun phrase that it refers back to. Β  The key word here is "back". Β  In your examples #1 and #3 you are trying to refer forward to "doing something" and that won't work. Β  If you have a previous sentence defining "it", you can just say, "I'll give it a try." Β  For example: "They say bicycling is easy. Β  I'll give it a try."

Your example #2 could work but it is a little awkward. "I'll give a try bicycling" should be rearranged to "I'll give bicycling a try" and it flows a lot smoother.


Reply
Posts: 0
Guest
(@Anonymous)
Joined: 1 second ago

There are areas like this that are not addressed by the cold mechanics of grammar and syntex, some place for a 'living sense' of a language. Is there an English word for that? --something that is not grammar but still implies more of 'rule' than, say, 'common usage' would.


Reply
Posts: 0
Guest
(@Anonymous)
Joined: 1 second ago

I agree with Dick's judgement: Β  "I'll give it a try", or "I'll give bicycling a try". Β  You can also say "I'll try bicycling", but of course Rafee was asking specifically about "give it a try".


Reply

Recent posts