grammar (phrase frame) · neutral

can't help + V-ing

Band 4-5speakingtask2

to be unable to stop yourself doing something; often used for natural reactions or habits

Examples

“I can't help smiling whenever I see puppies.”

“She can't help worrying about exams.”

“They couldn't help laughing at the comedian's story.”

Band 8 sentence

“Although I tried to stay serious during the presentation, I couldn't help smiling when my colleague made a witty remark.”

Collocations

  • can't help + V-ing
  • can't help but + V

Word family

can't help phrase/modal-likecan't help but + V alternative structure

Common mistakes

I can't help to laugh.→I can't help laughing.

She can't help but to cry.→She can't help but cry.

Say it for a higher band

5can't stop→6can't help but + V→7+can't help V-ing

Synonyms

can't stop

can't resist + V-ing

Easily confused

can't help but + V

“I can't help but laugh at his jokes.”

Related words

look forward to + V-ingtry + V-ing / try to + Vfor + somebody + to + Vavoid + V-ingbe likely to + Vbegin / start + V-ing / to + Vprevent + somebody + from + V-ingturn out + to + V

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In Gerunds & infinitives

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