Everything Language and Grammar

Archive for January 20th, 2009

Can’t Help But Cringe at This Construction

Posted by languageandgrammar on January 20, 2009

Try to avoid the can’t help but construction. While it has been around for a while, most grammarians agree that it’s not the most logical construction. It’s considered to be a confused mix of the expressions can but and can’t help. It’s better to use the always correct can’t help —ing construction.

For example, instead of I can’t help but think he wasn’t telling the truth, say I can’t help thinking he wasn’t telling the truth.

Sherry

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