What is actually the proper way to say this…
Most people seem to say:
"I will try AND get that thing done tomorrow"
But should it actually be:
"I will try TO get that thing done tomorrow"
Which is right/best/more formal? Are they both OK?
“Try to” is logically correct, but “try and” is an entrenched idiom. Probably one of those things Fowler would’ve called a “sturdy indefensible”: something that defies logic or grammar but, hey, what are you going to do? We’re stuck with it…
I’ve wondered about this for a long time. Some people whom one would have thought were both intelligent and educated in English say “tried and” when they clearly mean “tried to.”
Try to is more logical (and seems more grammatical to me)
HOWEVER,
Try and has been recorded in the language for over 200 years and is now quite safely ensconced as a legitimate idiom of the language.
(You the phrase with which you are comfortable and try not to wince at the other when you hear/see it.)
“Try to” is correct. If you say that you will "Try and get this done, " you are in effect saying that you will both “try” and you will “get this done.” Of course, if you get it done, the trying will have become immaterial.
Consider it also to be a sentence with two verbs. I will try and get it. “I will try” and “I will get it”. Of course, to be gramatcally correct it should be “I shall try and get ti”
So, when one uses “shall,” the object is spelled backwards?
