Halliday & Matthiessen (2014: 567-8):
Like a paratactic verbal group complex and a simple verbal group, a hypotactic verbal group complex, e.g. tried to do, serves only one set of functions in the clause (and only in the clause, since it cannot be embedded on its own): it is the Process in the experiential transitivity structure, and the Finite (...) Predicator in the interpersonal modal structure. For example:||| We tried to open windows || to escape. |||
||| In 1960 he began to travel. |||
The centre is helping field the 150,000 inquiries [[ flooding in nationally each day]] .
... these doctrines, || which are highly serviceable to power and authority, || but seem to have no other merits.
||| I always tried to avoid tearing her web || and save her repair work, || but she was a quick and efficient spinner. |||
||| I’ve been reading a lot of Lawrence; || I’ve been trying to read most of the works of Lawrence. |||