Meaning
Por ejemplo, si alguien dice «I can't help laughing», significa que no puede evitar reírse. La persona no puede controlar su risa, incluso si quisiera hacerlo.
La estructura general de la frase es: I can't help + verbo en gerundio. Algunas situaciones comunes donde se usa esta expresión incluyen emociones o reacciones difíciles de controlar, como reír, llorar o preocuparse.
Además, «I can't help» puede reflejar empatía o comprensión hacia otras personas. Por ejemplo, «I can't help feeling sorry for him» implica que la persona no puede evitar sentir lástima por alguien más.
En resumen, «I can't help» es una manera de expresar que algo es tan fuerte o natural que no se puede controlar, y se utiliza frecuentemente para hablar de emociones o reacciones involuntarias.
Today's Sentences
- I can't help feeling sorry for him.
- I can't help smiling when I see her.
- I can't help eating so much.
- I can't help biting my nails.
- I can't help smoking when I have been drinking.
- Writer's Note
01
I can't help feeling sorry for him.
Situation 1
It looks like this little puppy is lost.
He looks so scared.
I can’t help feeling sorry for him.
Let’s walk around and see if anyone is looking for him.
Situation 2
He lost his first big game.
He must be disappointed.
But there are many more games to come!
¡Pero hay muchos más juegos por venir!
I can’t help feeling sorry for him.
Maybe show him that a gracious winner or loser can say ‘good game’ after.
02
I can't help smiling when I see her.
Situation 1
Congratulations on the new addition to your family!
Thank you.
I can’t help smiling when I see her.
No puedo evitar sonreír cuando la veo.
You look really happy.
I’m a little scared for the sleepless nights though.
Situation 2
Congratulations on your engagement!
Thank you for coming to the party.
You look really happy.
I can’t help smiling when I see her.
03
I can't help eating so much.
Situation 1
I was so busy at work today.
Is that why you bought all these snacks?
Yes.
I can’t help eating so much.
No puedo evitar comer tanto.
I understand.
A stressful day makes me lose track of my appetite.
Un día estresante me hace perder el apetito.
Situation 2
I have such a sweet tooth.
I do too.
Some days, I can’t help eating so much.
I know what you mean.
04
I can't help biting my nails.
Situation 1
Are you nervous about something?
Yes, I can’t help biting my nails.
You know, they have special polish for nail biters?
I tried to quit so many times.
Situation 2
Your nails are so short!
Yes, I can’t help biting my nails.
Look at my nails! I’m a nail-biter too.
It looks like we have something in common.
05
I can't help smoking when I have been drinking.
Situation 1
Is it time for a smoke?
How did you know?
I can’t help smoking when I have been drinking.
No puedo evitar fumar cuando he estado bebiendo.
It seems like a common habit.
I wish I could control it.
Writer’s Note
The phrase "I can’t help" is a useful and expressive structure in English. Below are the key points to understand its meaning, structure, and usage.
- Key Points for "I can’t help"
👉 "I can't help" means you are unable to stop yourself from doing or feeling something, often unintentionally.
👉 It expresses something natural, automatic, or emotional.
Examples:
👉 I can’t help laughing when he talks like that.
👉 I can’t help feeling nervous before interviews. - Structure:
"I can’t help" + verb-ing (gerund)
Examples:
👉 I can’t help smiling when I see babies.
👉 She can’t help crying during sad movies.
👉 They can’t help worrying about their exams.
👉 «I can't help» significa que no puedes evitar hacer o sentir algo, a menudo de manera involuntaria.
👉 Expresa algo natural, automático o emocional.
Ejemplos:
👉 No puedo evitar reírme cuando él habla así.
👉 No puedo evitar sentirme nervioso antes de las entrevistas.
«No puedo evitar» + verbo en gerundio
Ejemplos:
👉 No puedo evitar sonreír cuando veo bebés.
👉 No puede evitar llorar durante las películas tristes.
👉 No pueden evitar preocuparse por sus exámenes.
The situations above are quite short but I wanted to have to reader imagine the setting of the dialogue. In other words, I want you to understand the context surrounding the given sentence. You should consider context because it provides meaning and clarity to the intended message.
Have you been consistent and diligent in your studies? It’s tricky to set a fixed time to study because we all have work, families, and the unanticipated surprises of life. How has life been treating you? What kind of obstacles stood in your way that kept you from studying?
