can't help but

Meaning

This phrase is used to express that someone is unable to resist or prevent themselves from doing, thinking, or feeling something. It indicates that an action or emotion is automatic or inevitable under the circumstances. The tone is neutral and highly common in everyday conversations.

Examples

• I can't help but feel a bit nervous about the upcoming exam.

  I can't help but feel a bit nervous about the upcoming exam.

• When I see old photos of our family, I can't help but smile.

  When I see old photos of our family, I can't help but smile.

• She couldn't help but notice that he was wearing mismatched socks.

  She couldn't help but notice that he was wearing mismatched socks.

• Hearing that song, I can't help but think of our summer trip.

  Hearing that song, I can't help but think of our summer trip.

• We can't help but wonder what will happen next in the series.

  We can't help but wonder what will happen next in the series.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I can't help but to laugh at his jokes.

  ✓ I can't help but laugh at his jokes.

  The phrase 'can't help but' must be followed by a bare infinitive (the verb without 'to').

• ✗ I can't help but feeling sorry for them.

  ✓ I can't help feeling sorry for them.

  You can say 'can't help [verb]-ing' or 'can't help but [verb]'. Mixing them into 'can't help but [verb]-ing' is grammatically incorrect.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Every time I watch that movie, I ___ cry at the ending.

  💡 cannot prevent myself from

  Show answer

  can't help but

• When she told the story, we ___ wonder if it was actually true.

  💡 past tense of can't help but

  Show answer

  couldn't help but