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Q and A
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Q: What is the difference among the three phrases in the following:
1. cannot help but + verb
2. cannot help + verb-ing
3. cannot but + verb
A: Good question. Easy, easy to learn, to use and to confuse, but you can never be very wrong. Why so? Because 1) They basically mean the same thing; 2) They follow more or less the same usage. But of course there are some subtle differences.
Look at some examples now containing the first pattern:
1.He cannot help but take the offer.
2.She cannot help but feel annoyed.
3.You cannot help but go.
4.He cannot help but agree.
5.Tom cannot help but admit his mistake.
In the above sentences, the word "help" can be omitted. In that case, the sentences containing the second pattern "cannot but" are still good sentences. Therefore, it is good to say:
6.He cannot but take the offer.
7.She cannot but feel annoyed.
8.You cannot but go.
9.He cannot but agree.
10.Tom cannot but admit his mistake.
(Part I)
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