Mr Quinion discussestry to V and try and V in his latest newsletter.
quote:
The problem for the critics is that try and is an ancient form, recorded from the thirteenth century. The early evidence is sparse, but there’s even some suggestion that try and may be older than try to. This refutes all the writers who believe it has only recently become widespread. The written evidence over the past two centuries, however, does show that most earlier usage was in informal situations such as speech or letters, not formal writing. Since so much current writing is deliberately informal in style, its usage appears to have widened.
—Ceci n'est pas un seing.
February 02, 2008, 09:39
<Asa Lovejoy>
Try and hide seems to me to suggest something different from Try to hide; the former suggesting success, whereas the latter does not specify success.This message has been edited. Last edited by: <Asa Lovejoy>,
February 02, 2008, 09:55
tsuwm
quote:
the latter suggesting success, whereas the latter does not specify success.
ha! try and have it both ways, will you?!
February 02, 2008, 10:02
goofy
'If you can SEE whether I'm singing or not, you've sharper eyes than most.' Humpty Dumpty remarked severely. Alice was silent.
'In spring, when woods are getting green, I'll try and tell you what I mean.'
'Thank you very much,' said Alice.
February 02, 2008, 18:40
<Asa Lovejoy>
quote:
Originally posted by tsuwm:
quote:
the forer suggesting success, whereas the latter does not specify success.
ha! try and have it both ways, will you?!
I've corrected my "flatus mentalis!"
February 02, 2008, 20:37
Kalleh
Interesting article, z. Try and and try to would mean the same to me. As I said on the chat today, before reading Quinion I'd have thought try and was the slang use. However, it sounds like it actually preceded try to.