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Umm Lisa, I'm sorry to say YES YOU ARE !!! (Just kiddin)

No I can understand your delimma, I believe the TRY AND comment is wrong and that it should be re-worded if the author is continually trying to use the same statement.

*Wonders if this makes sense.....*

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TRY AND

The topic of one of today's rants.

A long time ago (in a galaxy far far away) my mother pointed out to me the conundrum of 'try and'. Here's an example.

"Homer went into the kitchen to try and kill Marge with a meat cleaver."

To me (and my mum) 'try' implies that the person doesn't know whether or not they will suceed with their chosen task, while 'and' implies that the task is a 'sure thing'. But if the task is a 'sure thing', then wouldn't ...

"Homer went into the kitchen and killed Marge with a meat cleaver."

... be better?

Or if the outcome of the situation is in doubt, wouldn't...

"Homer went into the kitchen to try to kill Marge with a meat cleaver."

... be better?

The reason I bring this up is because I'm reading a book at the moment that repeatedly uses 'try and', and in most of the cases it is used, it is to express an attempt at doing something, not a definite statement that the task was accomplished, and frankly, it's standing out like dogs balls. Well, to me anyway.

Am I the only person who is annoyed by this? Am I a freak?

..............................
"the universe we observe has precisely the properties we should expect if there is, at bottom, no design, no purpose, no evil and no good, nothing but blind, pitiless indifference - Richard Dawkins
Asteroid B-612

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Well, it makes sense to me, but then I am a freak (by populare concensus "> ).

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who thinks 'try and' is wrong.

..............................
"the universe we observe has precisely the properties we should expect if there is, at bottom, no design, no purpose, no evil and no good, nothing but blind, pitiless indifference - Richard Dawkins
Asteroid B-612

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Hmm, that would explain the big ears, green skin and bad grammer...

BB, I'll trade you my model millenium falcon for your pink lightsaber.

Steve, it is hard not to look at dogs balls when they are thrust in your face every second page. And yes, try means try, but follow that immediately with a word that, in this case, means succeed, you eliminate the 'try', so it become superfluous. One or two 'try and's, separated by a good deal of book, I won't worry about, but so many so close together and all of them null and void?? Sorry, but this grumpy girl has gotta say something about it.

..............................
"the universe we observe has precisely the properties we should expect if there is, at bottom, no design, no purpose, no evil and no good, nothing but blind, pitiless indifference - Richard Dawkins
Asteroid B-612

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Any author who is using "try and" or any other phrase for that matter as often as you say needs a new editor.

Just for the record, "try and" is clumsy. There is always (Steve I said it) a better choice which will be more to the point and less ambiguous....and make for a better read.

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Lisa is your mom Yoda?

if so...

Can I come over and play? I have a double ended pink lightsaber and a full bag of gummi worms!

there is no 'try and', or 'try to', only 'kill' or 'maul really badly' and 'ooh that's gonna leave a mark'.

A naked American man stole my balloons...

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Lisa

I never look at dogs balls... (they can lick them you know)

But, when someone says try it means... try hehe

I hate it when people say ALL THE TIME, ALWAYS , NEVER...

when someone says they always do that.....

It is a lie...... people dont always do things...

they mainly do them and once in a while they don't...

they are all Lies...

LIES I TELL YOU

oppss better go take my medication..

steve

Edited by: soldierblue at: 9/2/02 11:59:58 am

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Fiona

I agree there is often a better choice... but not always.. hehe..

Don't do this to me... i will go mental... not always!