ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: Try

CalifJim — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 02:41:35 GMT

What I did: I stepped on the gas pedal hard
Why I did it, i.e., purpose: to go through a set of lights
The result: but I didn't make it. (I did not succeed in my purpose.)

not make it means did not succeed or did not arrive, depending on context.

CJ

Re: Try

Clive — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 02:25:24 GMT

Hi,

1. I stepped on the gas pedal hard to go through a set of lights but I didn't make it. (Is "didn't' make it" referring to the fact that I didn't make it through the intersection?) Yes.

What does this sentence mean with 'tried' compared to #1 without 'tried'?
2. I tried to step on the gas pedal hard to go through a set of lights but I didn't make it (Does "didn't make it" refer to the fact that I didn't make it through the lights or the fact that I didn't step on the gas pedal hard or both?) It could be either. I would normally take it to mean you didn't make it through the intersection. That seems to be the semantic focus of the sentence.

If you want simply to tell me that you weren't able to step on the gas pedal hard,I think you'd more naturally tell me in another way.

Best wishes, Clive

Try

jack112 — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 01:42:12 GMT

1. I stepped on the gas pedal hard to go through a set of lights but I didn't make it. (Is "didn't' make it" referring to the fact that I didn't make it through the intersection?)

What does this sentence mean with 'tried' compared to #1 without 'tried'?
2. I tried to step on the gas pedal hard to go through a set of lights but I didn't make it (Does "didn't make it" refer to the fact that I didn't make it through the lights or the fact that I didn't step on the gas pedal hard or both?)

Thanks.