Grammar question - see quote

[Miss Marple]

"...and are working diligently to try and accommodate your request..."

 

The use of the word "and" after "try" has always sounded wrong to me. I have always counted off points when my boys used this terminology, but I find that it is used over and over by businesses, journalists, etc. So could it be that I am wrong?

 

I always thought that "and" linked two things, activities, etc. and that one could be removed and the sentence should still make sense. So in the case above (which came in an email from the state University by a director of a department) "and are working diligently to try your request" just doesn't make sense. Are they "trying" and "accommodating" or are they "trying to accommodate" (which is what I prefer)?

 

I'm sure this whole post is riddled with grammar mistakes. I'm not trying to be picky, but this particular usage bugs me. Is this an acceptable use of the word "and"?

 

{maybe I'm just buggable right now because my elderly FIL is staying in my schoolroom because the assisted living center flooded. He can't maneuver stairs so we put a bed downstairs. He's interesting...we have no idea when he can return.}

[Murphy101]

I agree. The "and" should be written instead as "to".

 

...diligently to try to accommodate ...

 

Or better yet:

 

We are working diligently to accommodate ...

[StephanieZ]

"try and" is one of my major pet peeves. It is usually used incorrectly. You are right.

 

Unless one is trying to say that they want to TRY to help someone AND they want to actually HELP them (i.e., a compound predicate), they should not say that they will "try and help."

 

I think substituting the word "intend" for "try" can help you determine if the "try and" is being used properly, which I believe it almost never is.

[acablue]

I put this in the same category as "should of". Wrong and infuriating. (Exceptions may occur. Don't grammar bash.)

[angela in ohio]

I'm with you. :001_smile:

 

It's right up there with "looking to _____." I'm so sick of seeing this construction, I'm looking to scream. :D Every add in the newspaper asks if you are "looking to get new windows" or "looking to buy a new car." Ugh.

 

I don't assume that something is correct just because it is used by journalists, businesses, university professors, teachers, authors, etc. There is so little training in grammar anymore; you just can't expect much.

[plansrme]

I am siding with Yoda, who says something along the lines of, "Do or do not. There is no try."

 

But yes, it is often used incorrectly. And overused. Accordingly, I discourage its use in my home in nearly any context.

 

Sincerely,

 

The Grammar Curmudgeon