Verb + -ing or to… — 2
try / need / help / can't help — Critical Meaning Differences
Verbe + -ing ou to… — 2
try / need / help / can't help — Différences de sens essentielles
Master how try + -ing (experiment) differs from try + to (attempt), how need + -ing has a passive meaning, and why can't help + -ing is always fixed.
Maîtrisez comment try + -ing (expérimenter) diffère de try + to (tenter), pourquoi need + -ing a un sens passif, et pourquoi can't help + -ing est toujours fixe.
Unit 57 focuses on three verbs where the choice of form creates a real difference in meaning or grammar. Try + -ing means to experiment with something as a solution; try + to means to attempt something difficult. Need + -ing has a passive meaning (the thing needs to be done to it); need + to is active. And can't help is always followed by -ing — it means you cannot stop yourself doing something.
L’unité 57 porte sur trois verbes où le choix de la forme crée une vraie différence de sens ou de grammaire. Try + -ing = essayer quelque chose comme solution ; try + to = tenter quelque chose de difficile. Need + -ing a un sens passif (la chose a besoin d’être faite) ; need + to est actif. Et can't help est toujours suivi du -ing — cela signifie qu’on ne peut pas s’empêcher de faire quelque chose.
try + -ing vs try + to — experiment vs attempt
try + -ing vs try + to — expérimenter vs tenter
try + -ing = experiment / try as a solution
try + -ing = essayer comme solution
try + to = attempt (something difficult)
try + to = tenter (quelque chose de difficile)
She tried to open the jar but couldn’t. (= she attempted it) Why don't you try switching it off and on again? (= essaie cette solution)
She tried to open the jar but couldn’t. (= elle a tenté de le faire)
need + -ing (passive meaning) vs need + to (active)
need + -ing (sens passif) vs need + to (actif)
need + -ing = passive meaning (the thing needs doing to it)
need + -ing = sens passif (la chose doit être faite)
need + to = active (the person must do it)
need + to = actif (la personne doit le faire)
person + need + to = active (the person must perform the action).
The office needs cleaning. (= someone needs to clean it)
We need to clean the office. (= we must clean it) Règle clé : chose + need + -ing = passif (la chose a besoin qu’on agisse dessus).
personne + need + to = actif (la personne doit effectuer l’action).
The office needs cleaning. (= quelqu’un doit le nettoyer)
We need to clean the office. (= nous devons le nettoyer)
help + (to) — and — can't help + -ing
help + (to) — et — can't help + -ing
help + (to) — “to” is optional
help + (to) — “to” est facultatif
can't help + -ing = can't stop oneself
can't help + -ing = on ne peut pas s’en empêcher
He can't help being clumsy. (= it's beyond his control)
Sorry — I couldn't help overhearing your conversation. I can't help wondering what happened. (= je ne peux pas m’empêcher de me demander)
He can't help being clumsy. (= il n’y peut rien)
Sorry — I couldn't help overhearing your conversation.
Complete with try + -ing or try + to. Use the verb in brackets.
Complétez avec try + -ing ou try + to. Utilisez le verbe entre parenthèses.
Complete with need + -ing or need + to. Use the verb in brackets.
Complétez avec need + -ing ou need + to. Utilisez le verbe entre parenthèses.
Complete with can't help or help (me / him / etc.) + verb.
Complétez avec can't help ou help (me / him / etc.) + verbe.
Identify and correct the error in each sentence.
Identifiez et corrigez l’erreur dans chaque phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions Fréquentes
I tried to open it = I attempted to open it (but perhaps failed). The focus is on the attempt. I tried opening it = I opened it as an experiment to see if that would help. Both imply the action was carried out, but the -ing form implies it was a deliberate test of a solution.
I tried to open it = j’ai tenté de l’ouvrir (mais peut-être échoué). I tried opening it = je l’ai ouvert pour voir si ça aidait (comme expérience). La forme -ing implique un test d’une solution.
When the subject is a thing (not a person), need + -ing means the thing needs to have something done to it: The car needs washing = the car needs to be washed. The car is the receiver of the action, not the doer — hence the passive meaning. Compare with the active: I need to wash the car (I am the doer).
Quand le sujet est une chose (pas une personne), need + -ing signifie que la chose a besoin qu’on agisse dessus : The car needs washing = the car needs to be washed. La voiture reçoit l’action — sens passif. Comparez avec l’actif : I need to wash the car.
No. Can't help is always followed by -ing. ✗ I can't help to laugh is WRONG. ✓ I can't help laughing. The phrase means “I cannot stop myself from laughing.” The -ing form is obligatory here, just like after other fixed expressions like it's no use, it's no good, there's no point.
Non. Can't help est toujours suivi du -ing. ✗ I can't help to laugh est FAUX. ✓ I can't help laughing. Cela signifie “je ne peux pas m’empêcher de rire.” La forme -ing est obligatoire ici.
Both are correct. After help + object, “to” is optional: Can you help me carry this? and Can you help me to carry this? are both standard English. The form without “to” is more common in informal speech.
Les deux sont corrects. Après help + objet, “to” est facultatif : Can you help me carry this? et Can you help me to carry this? sont tous les deux corrects. La forme sans “to” est plus courante à l’oral informel.
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