Fiction Writing Tips From the Editor

When to use "Try to" versus "Try and"

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Fiction writers: Beware! You may try to write clearly but in the end you could try and fail!

Ah, the old "try to" versus "try and" quandary! Both can be correct ... at times. This is one of those grammatically pesky things that cause writers trouble. Fiction writers use both and often use them indiscriminately. My usual quick references, A Pocket Style Manual by Diana Hacker, just states that “try and” is substandard for “try to” without giving the reason. My old faithful Plain English Handbook by J.M Walsh and A.K. Walsh says "try to" is correct and "try and" is questioned by some authorities. Hmmm ... what authorities? And why is it substandard? And is there any use for "try and" if it is considered substandard?

As a fiction editor for 16 years, I know even the smallest word can derail a whole scene in a novel. So let's break this down:

"Try" can mean to make an effort. You may or may not include an object or modifier, explaining what you are trying. Examples:

• I suggest you try sliced tomatoes on your peanut butter sandwich instead of jelly. (A sentence in which we learn what object should be tried--in this case, sliced tomatoes. By the way, a great sandwich!)
• He will try to fly. (Hopefully not off a building, but we learn that the object of his trying is "to fly.")

• I make good grades and will get my diploma. (The “and” works to combine what could be two separate and logical sentences: “I make good grades" and “I will get my diploma.”)
• I will try and succeed. (This “and” combines “I will try” and “I will succeed”. The assumption is that you will make an effort AND you are sure you will succeed. Rather confident, but, hey, that's great optimism and maybe exactly what you mean!)
• I will try to succeed. (This, however, means you will make an effort to succeed. You are offering no assurance that you'll actually succeed--only assurance that you will attempt to succeed. There is a big difference between this and the last sentence example. And most of the time, THIS is the meaning we intend when we fiction writers use "try." Therefore, most often, "try" should be coupled with "to" and not "and.")

• Try and think of some times when you were happy. (Most likely, the writer is simply asking the reader to "Think of happy times." The author doesn't need the "try and" at all. Using the "and" creates a compound sentence and the "try" just sort of dangles by itself as a verb. So the sentence may be somewhat grammatically okay, but it isn't really clear, which is why my reference books would consider this substandard.)

• Try to think of some times when you were happy. (This works if the writer wants to emphasize that thinking of happy times is difficult to do and requires the person's effort to accomplish. The simple use of "to" turns it into a single sentence with a single verb “try” and all the rest is the modifier that explains WHAT is to be tried.)

Ahh, yes! I do believe you will make the effort TO write clearly (the "try to"). And it is my hope that in the end you will both make the effort AND succeed (the "try and").

Any questions? Write me, Sandra Haven, at Bristol Services Intl. by clicking services@bristolservicesintl.com

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