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Trying to write a sentence as follows:

Of course, we will, and have already, try to respond promptly.

My problem is connecting the word try with we will and have already.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you

Barmar
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Ariel Sloan
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  • "We will try, and have already done so"? The term 'promptly' seems odd in context. Presumably the attempt to respond was prompt but unsuccessful? – Kate Bunting Mar 02 '17 at 17:29
  • I'm not sure the meaning of the sentence is clear, as written – J. Taylor Mar 02 '17 at 18:22
  • It doesn't work because there is no consistency. You can't make the language consistent if the meaning isn't consistent. – Hot Licks Apr 01 '17 at 22:11

1 Answers1

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The parallelism doesn't work because it requires different forms of try: will try but have tried. (Parallel structures that split compound verb phrases, even if technically correct, can be difficult to read anyway.) Your intended meaning is also a bit unclear: I don't know what distinguishes an attempt to respond from an actual response. Maybe something like this is better?

We've already tried to respond to you, and we'll try again soon.

Or if you're discussing not one particular response but a general policy of responding quickly, maybe:

We promise to respond promptly to all requests, just as we always have done.

Connor Harris
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