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HSS Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

Can't Help it If ....

I have this feeling people normally omit "it" as in [2] with this construction "can't help (it) if ...." Would you?

[1] I couldn't help it if he omitted to check the word.

[2] I couldn't help if he omitted to check the word.

Best,

Hiro
  

Top answer

key=36657&dict=CALD I think you need: I couldn't help it that he omitted to check the word. I couldn't help him omitting to check the word. He can't help it that the Republicans control Congress,

— Marius Hancu

  • key=36657&dict=CALD I think you need: I couldn't help it that he omitted to check the word.
  • I couldn't help him omitting to check the word.
  • He can't help it that the Republicans control Congress,
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9 Answers
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This is the idiom:
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=36657&dict=CALD

I think you need:
I couldn't help it that he omitted to check the word.
I couldn't help him omitting to check the word.

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Hi, Marius.

Wouldn't you say, "I couldn't help it if ..."? Would you always use a that-clause?

Hiro
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HSS
Wouldn't you say, "I couldn't help it if ..."? Would you always use a that-clause?
Not always, see my examples and at Cambridge.
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I meant "I couldn't help it if ..." versus "I couldn't help it that ...." Would you always use a that-clause between the two?

Hiro
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HSSI have this feeling people normally omit "it" as in [2] with this construction "can't help (it) if ...." Would you?

[1] I couldn't help it if he omitted to check the word.

[2] I couldn't help if he omitted to check the word.
Your construction is strange. You normally use it when you can't stop something in yourself, not
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[2] I couldn't help if he omitted to check the word.
has another meaning:
I couldn't help when he omitted to check the word.
this doesn't not mean stopping the action, as in the idiom shown at Cambridge.
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Marius Hancu[2] I couldn't help if he omitted to check the word.
has another meaning:
I couldn't help when he omitted to check the word.
Which means? I'd be happy if you'd help me.
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HSS
Marius Hancu[2] I couldn't help if he omitted to check the word.
has another meaning:
I couldn't help when he omitted to check the word.
Which means? I'd be happy if you'd help me.
I couldn't help when it happened that he omitted to check the word.
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Let me just recap for myself, and get some confirmation if you please.


[1] I can't help it if (or, that) I sneezed.

[2] I couldn't help it if (or, that) I
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