英语短语 "can't help doing sth." 是高频实用表达,核心含义和用法如下:
字面直译为“无法阻止做某事”,实际理解为 “忍不住/情不自禁做某事”(强调因情绪、本能或习惯而无法控制的行为)。
1、 语法结构:
主语(人)+ can't help + 动名词(doing)
注:“help”在此处不是“帮助”,而是“避免、阻止”的意思(= avoid/prevent)。
2、 常用场景与例句:
情绪反应(因开心、难过、搞笑等忍不住):
I can't help laughing when I see his funny face.(看到他的鬼脸,我忍不住笑了。)
She couldn't help crying at the sad movie.(看这部悲剧电影时,她情不自禁哭了。)
本能/习惯(无法克制的行为):
He can't help checking his phone every five minutes.(他忍不住每隔五分钟就看手机。)
I can't help eating snacks when I'm bored.(无聊时我忍不住吃零食。)
自然反应(不受意识控制的动作):
They couldn't help staring at the strange man in the subway.(他们忍不住盯着地铁里的那个奇怪男人看。)
注意与 "can't help but do sth." 区分(两者含义不同):
can't help but do sth.:不得不做某事(强调客观上没有选择,必须做)
例:I can't help but agree with you—your idea is great.(我不得不认同你——你的想法太棒了。)
可加宾语表示“忍不住让某人做某事”(但较少用):
I can't help him talking loudly in the library.(我忍不住他在图书馆大声说话。= 我无法阻止他在图书馆大声说话。)
总结:"can't help doing sth." 聚焦“情绪/本能的失控”,而 "can't help but do sth." 聚焦“客观的无奈选择”。掌握两者的区别,就能准确使用啦!