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closetoyou
how to use can't help
i have heard some english speakers saying, "i can't help but..."
and in the song "i can't help falling in love..."
when and how to use it?
10 nov. 2009 08:18
Antwoorden · 4
1
Hello closetoyou ,
"I can't help " means I can't abstain from doing something, not being able to stop or control something.
This expression is always used with the negative.
" I can't help falling in love with you " means I can't choose not to fall in love with you , because the feeling is probably so strong, that is it almost uncontrollable .
It is like the person is resisting to fall in love but can't .
Another example:
" Although she knows she has to loose weight, she can't help eating pizza and chocolate. "
She can't stop eating them, can't control her appetite.
This expression is sometimes used in the form of:
" can't help but do something"
"I can't help but fall in love with her".
10 november 2009
I just want to add that it is an idiomatic expression. It is used, as Cherry said, to say that 'it is impossible to prevent or avoid something':
'I can't help falling in love' = I can't stop myself from falling in love = I can't avoid falling in love = I can't prevent myself form falling in love
You say it when you are deeply in love and when you are attracted to somebody. That's why it's impossible to stop yourself from falling in love.
Other examples:
I can't help feeling depressed sometimes.
I couldn't help being nauseated by the violence in the movie.
10 november 2009
In this case for example :
" Neal can't help but agree with my answer ".
Kidding ;)
10 november 2009
I thought I had the answer, then realised I had not read the question properly but can't find a way to delete my response, so... I agree with Cherry's answer!
10 november 2009
Heb je je antwoorden nog steeds niet gevonden?
Schrijf je vragen op en laat de moedertaalsprekers je helpen!
closetoyou
Taalvaardigheden
Engels, Filipijns (Tagalog), Spaans
Taal die wordt geleerd
Engels, Spaans
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