The prisoners tried [attempted] to escape but failed. 犯人企圖逃跑,但未能得逞。
注意兩者在用法上區(qū)別較大:
1. attempt 在現(xiàn)代英語中只用用及物動詞,而 try 則可用作及物或不及物動詞。如:
我恐怕做不了,但我要試試。
誤:I'm afraid I can't do it, but I'll attempt.
正:I'm afraid I can't do it. but I'll try.
2. attempt 后接不定式或動名詞均可(以不定式為常見),且含義無多大差別;try 后接不定式或動名詞差別較大 (即后接不定式時,表示試圖做某事;后接動名詞時,表示做某事試試看有何效果)。如:
He attempted to climb [climbing] the moutain. 他們試圖要攀登這座山。
He tried to persuade her to stay. 他試圖要說服她留下。
Try phoning his home number. 給他家里打個電話試試。