help
‘help’ as a transitive verb
If you help someone, you make something easier for them. When help has this meaning, it can be followed by an infinitive, with or without to. For example, you can say ‘I helped him to move the desk’ or ‘I helped him move the desk’. There is no difference in meaning.
We must try to help students to have confidence in their ability.
Something went wrong with his machine so I helped him fix it.
‘help’ as an intransitive verb
You can also use help as an intransitive verb, followed by an infinitive with or without to. If someone helps do something or helps to do it, they help other people to do it.
I used to help cook the meals for the children.
The taxi driver helped to carry the bags into the hotel.
If something helps do something or helps to do it, it makes it easier for that thing to be done.
The money helped pay the rent.
This policy helped to improve the competitiveness of American exports.
Be careful
Don't use an -ing form after help. Don't say, for example, ‘I helped moving the desk’ or ‘I helped him moving the desk’.
Don't use an -ing form after help. Don't say, for example, ‘I helped moving the desk’ or ‘I helped him moving the desk’.
‘cannot help’
If you cannot help doing something, you are unable to prevent yourself from doing it.
I couldn't help teasing him a little.
Be careful
Don't use a to-infinitive after cannot help. Don't say, for example, ‘I couldn’t help to tease him a little'.
Don't use a to-infinitive after cannot help. Don't say, for example, ‘I couldn’t help to tease him a little'.