0
Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

But think vs. thinking vs. to think

A. I can't help myself but think you are being unfaithful.
B. I can't help myself thinking you are being unfaithful.
C. I can't help myself to think you are being unfaithful.

1. Are all the sentences above correct?
2. Do they all have the same meaning?
3. If not, how are they different?

Please advise. Thank you.
  

Top answer

A. I can't help but think you are being unfaithful. B.

  • A.
  • I can't help but think you are being unfaithful.
  • B.
  • I can't help thinking you are being unfaithful.
  • (X) C.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

7 Answers
0
A. I can't help but think you are being unfaithful.
B. I can't help thinking you are being unfaithful.
(X) C. I can't help to think you are being unfaithful.

1. Are all the sentences above correct?-- 'Myself'should not be used in any of them. C is wrong anyway,

2. Do they all have the same meaning?-- A and B mean the same.
0
Hi,

A. I can't help myself but think you are being unfaithful. OK.

In this type of construction, don't include 'myself'.

It's a rather literary and somewhat old-fashioned way of speaking. Quite stylish.

The use of 'but' suggests a contrast between the possibiltiy that you are not unfaithful and the possibility that you are.

0
Thank you very much. Can I also leave out 'but' as below?
I believe the word 'but' in the sentence only gives emphasis. Is this correct?

D. I can't help (but) think you are bing unfaithful.
0
Hi,

Yes. (I already told you that. Emotion: smile)

Clive
0
Hi Clive,

Thank you, too, for your input and answering my additional question.
CliveA. I can't help myself but think you are being unfaithful. OK.
In this type of construction, don't include 'myself'.
It's a rather literary and somewhat old-fashioned way of speaking. Quite stylish.
I'm sorry, did you mean adding 'myself' makes it old-fashion
0
Hi,



The latter.



Clive
0
OK, thanks so much. You've been very helpful. Emotion: smile

Related Questions