- 8 Apr 2004
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Dear native English speakers,
Would the pattern "couldn't help (do)ing" be commonly used in modern English?
I have an impression that Americans prefer to use the pattern "couldn't help but (do)".
How about these? Would all of them sound natural?
(1a) I couldn't help laughing at the silly joke. [This is from our textbook.]
(1b) I couldn't help but laugh at the silly joke.
(2a) I couldn't help thinking that he had known this fact.
(2b) I couldn't help but think that he had known this fact.
(3a) I couldn't help crying when I heard his sad story.
(3b) I couldn't help but cry when I heard his sad story.
Thanks in advance.
Hirashin
Would the pattern "couldn't help (do)ing" be commonly used in modern English?
I have an impression that Americans prefer to use the pattern "couldn't help but (do)".
How about these? Would all of them sound natural?
(1a) I couldn't help laughing at the silly joke. [This is from our textbook.]
(1b) I couldn't help but laugh at the silly joke.
(2a) I couldn't help thinking that he had known this fact.
(2b) I couldn't help but think that he had known this fact.
(3a) I couldn't help crying when I heard his sad story.
(3b) I couldn't help but cry when I heard his sad story.
Thanks in advance.
Hirashin