Meaning
Voici quelques exemples pour illustrer l'utilisation de « I can't help » :
En général, cette expression est suivie d'un verbe au gérondif (verbe + ing) ou de la structure « but + infinitif ». Elle est couramment utilisée dans des contextes où l'on exprime des sentiments ou des réactions spontanées. En français, on pourrait traduire cela par des expressions comme « je ne peux m'empêcher de » ou « je ne peux pas m'empêcher de remarquer ». Utiliser « I can't help » permet de transmettre une idée de spontanéité ou d'inévitabilité dans l'action ou le sentiment décrit.
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!
Mais il y a beaucoup d'autres jeux à 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.
Je ne peux pas m'empêcher de sourire quand je la vois.
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.
Je ne peux pas m'empêcher de manger autant.
I understand.
A stressful day makes me lose track of my appetite.
Une journée stressante me fait perdre l'appétit.
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.
Je ne peux pas m'empêcher de fumer quand j'ai bu.
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 » signifie que vous êtes incapable de vous empêcher de faire ou de ressentir quelque chose, souvent de manière involontaire.
👉 Cela exprime quelque chose de naturel, automatique ou émotionnel.
Exemples :
👉 I can’t help laughing quand il parle comme ça.
👉 I can’t help feeling nervous avant les entretiens.
« I can’t help » + verbe en -ing (gérondif)
Exemples :
👉 Je ne peux pas m'empêcher de sourire quand je vois des bébés.
👉 Elle ne peut pas s'empêcher de pleurer pendant les films tristes.
👉 Ils ne peuvent pas s'empêcher de s'inquiéter pour leurs examens.
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?
