Kinds of information represented by double-verb structures

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The first verb provides information about the "effort" involved in carrying out the action, and the degree of "success" achieved:

Try to arrange for your day to start as leisurely as possible.
(Microconcord Corpus B)

Here is a list of verbs commonly used in double-verb structures of this type:

attempt avoid* endeavour fail forget get manage remember succeed in* try

Note that "effort"/"success" verbs are typically followed by the to-infinitive. However, some "effort"/"success" verbs (those marked with an asterisk) can only be followed by the -ing form.

The verb try is a special case because, although it is typically followed by the infinitive, it can also be followed by the -ing form, usually with some difference in meaning :

They tried to divide the Irish Government by putting out all the wrong signals. (Bank of English)

He tried dividing his luggage into two bundles, tying them to his walking stick and slinging the whole affair across his back like a coolie.
(Bank of English)

The implication in the first sentence is  that certain people attempted to create a division, but did not manage it. In the second sentence, the implication is that the man actually did divide his luggage, but without (necessarily) achieving what he wanted. The sentences that follow make this clear:

This only produced chafed and aching shoulders. In the next two hours he scarcely traveled a mile and a half, and when he reached the bank of another river he gave up for the day exhausted. (Bank of English)

Note that of the two verbs which are followed by the -ing form, one is a phrasal verb (succeed in), and the other is a verb with a negative meaning (avoid).

Introduction
Using double-verb structures to talk about "time"
Using double-verb structures to talk about "reality"
Using double-verb structures to talk about "effort"/"success"
Using double-verb structures to talk about "manner"
Teaching implications