To be afraid
gerund infinitive
(apprehension that smth bad (unwillingness to do smth in a certain situation)
may happen = phobia )
Sue doesn’t want to ride. She is afraid of falling. He is afraid to take the test in case he fails. C annot help
cannot help but + bare infinitive cannot help + gerund
(adverbial modifier of exception) (object)
e.g. She couldn’t help but wonder what e.g. I can’t help thinking he knows
he was thinking. = Ее не могло не интересовать, more than he has told. = Я не могу
что он думает. не думать, что он знает больше того, что сказал.
Note: In Modern English instead of the structure cannot help but + bare infinitive, which is rather old-fashioned, the expression cannot but + bare infinitive is used, e.g.
Nancy couldn’t but feel sorry for the boy. = Нэнси не могла не пожалеть мальчика
TASK 2. Fill in the gaps with either infinitive or gerund using the verbs in brackets
I'll never forget _________ (to sail) down the Danube on that warm spring night last year.
Please don't forget ________ (to pay) the bill.
John says he remembers _________ (to buy) the newspaper, but now he can't find it.
Did you remember ________ (to post) my letters today?
Gloria regrets _________ (to laugh) at her sister.
I regret __________ (to inform) you that we cannot give you your money back.
The students went on __________ (to write) for another hour.
After cleaning the windows, he went on _________ (to wash) the car.
We are sorry __________ (to announce) that the 7:15 train to Liverpool has been cancelled.
I'm sorry for ________ (to miss) your birthday party; I'll make it up to you.
She stopped _________ (to go) to the gym after she had got back into shape.
They stopped _________ (to have) a rest before they continued their journey.
They tried _________ (to open) the door, but it was stuck.
You should try _______ (to make) your own clothes. It's much cheaper.
I'm sorry. I didn't mean _________ (to break) your vase.
Being a teacher means __________ (to mark) a lot of homework.
I like ________ (to tidy) my room at weekends because I don't have time during the week.
They like _________ (to play) in the sea on hot days.
Steve could remember __________ (to drive) along the road just before the accident happened, but he couldn’t remember the accident itself.
I now regret __________ (to say) what I said. I shouldn’t have said it.
We regret ___________ (to inform) you that we are unable to offer you the job.
Do you remember ___________ (to go) to the post office last Wednesday?
Some people find images easier ___________ (to remember) than words.
I must remember ___________ (to try) and phone Phil this evening. I've got a message for him.
The mother couldn’t help ___________ (to notice) how unhappy her daughter looked.
Task 3 Translate the following sentences into Russian
The child couldn’t help but eat the hateful porridge.
She can’t help being ugly.
Nancy couldn’t help but wonder what he was thinking.
They couldn’t help but let me know when they were leaving.
No matter what you say, I can’t help but think so.
Sorry, I couldn’t help hearing your conversation with Mr. Dramond. And I think you are right.
I have listened to your explanation very carefully but I can’t help but contradict you.
Jerry couldn’t help forgiving Liz, he loved her so much.
You will not help but love the puppy, it’s so cute!
I can’t help remembering again and again the happy day we spent in Italy.