Meaning
Na expressão em inglês "I can’t help", o verbo "help" é usado de uma forma um pouco diferente do seu significado literal de "ajudar". Quando alguém diz "I can’t help", geralmente quer dizer que não consegue evitar fazer algo, mesmo que queira. É uma forma de expressar que uma ação ou sentimento é quase involuntário. Por exemplo, se alguém diz "I can’t help laughing", significa que a pessoa não consegue parar de rir, mesmo que tente.
Essa expressão é frequentemente seguida por um verbo no gerúndio (a forma "-ing" do verbo). Aqui estão alguns exemplos para ilustrar:
- I can’t help smiling quando vejo fotos de filhotes.
- I can’t help feeling nervoso antes de uma apresentação.
- I can’t help thinking que esquecemos algo importante.
Usar "I can’t help" é uma maneira eficaz de comunicar que um sentimento ou reação é muito forte para ser controlado. É uma expressão útil para enriquecer seu vocabulário e tornar suas conversas em inglês mais naturais e expressivas.
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!
Mas ainda há muitos jogos por vir!
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.
Não consigo deixar de sorrir quando a vejo.
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.
Eu não consigo parar de comer tanto.
I understand.
A stressful day makes me lose track of my appetite.
Um dia estressante me faz perder o apetite.
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.
Não consigo evitar fumar quando estou bebendo.
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 você não consegue parar de fazer ou sentir algo, muitas vezes de forma involuntária.
👉 Expressa algo natural, automático ou emocional.
Exemplos:
👉 Não consigo evitar rir quando ele fala assim.
👉 Não consigo deixar de me sentir nervoso antes das entrevistas.
«I can’t help» + verbo com -ing (gerúndio)
Exemplos:
👉 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.
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?
