Meaning & use
can't help but
Last updated
UK/ˌkɑːnt help ˈbʌt/
US/ˌkænt help ˈbʌt/
Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
used to say you cannot stop yourself from doing something, even if you try
Grammar: Followed by the base form of a verb: can't help but smile.
Patterns
- can't help but + verb
- can't help but feel something
I can't help but laugh when I watch that video.
She can't help but worry about her son when he travels.
You can't help but feel sorry for the losing team.
Common combinations
- can't help but laugh
- The joke was so silly that I couldn't help but laugh.
- can't help but notice
- I can't help but notice that you've changed your hair.
- can't help but wonder
- I can't help but wonder what might have been.
- can't help but feel
- He can't help but feel a little jealous.
Synonyms and how they differ
- can't help doing something
- Same meaning but followed by the -ing form: can't help laughing.
- can't resist
- Suggests a strong temptation you give in to, often for something pleasant.
Commonly confused: can't help but or can't help to do?
can't help but vs can't help to do
Not standard English; use can't help but do or can't help doing.
Practice
I ____ when I saw his new haircut.
Choose one answer.
The phrase can't help but is followed by the base form of the verb (laugh). The other forms use the wrong verb pattern.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “can't help but”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.