Meaning of cannot help | Babel Free

Definitions

Forma verbal. Verb. [B2]

Examples

“He never greatly cared for the society of what are called good people. If any of these were scandalised (and offences were sure to arise⟳), he could not help⟳ it.”

“"Well, my love⟳, that is all very true," replied Louisa, colouring with the consciousness of being a great monopolist; "but I cannot help⟳ fearing more pain will arise⟳ to you eventually than the pleasure is worth;[…]"”

“Yarmouth […] looked rather spongey and soppy, I thought, as I carried my eye over the great dull waste⟳ that lay⟳ across the river; and I could not help⟳ wondering, if the world were really as round as my geography-book said, how any part of it came to be so flat.”

“even their arch-enemy the gamekeeper is beginning reluctantly, but gradually, to acquiesce in the general belief of their innocence and utility, I cannot help⟳ indulging the hope⟳ that this bird will eventually meet⟳ with that general encouragement and protection to which its eminent services so richly entitle it.”

“It may be that the jury in this case have⟳ misapplied the rule⟳ laid down by this Court, but not in favour of the defendants. I cannot help⟳ thinking they might well have⟳ held the watercourse to be the true boundary line between the two properties.”

CEFR level