can't help ~ing vs. can't help sb from ~ing

sweetpumpkin · Fri Dec 28, 2007 4:48 am *can't help ~ing vs. can't help sb from ~ing*

I couldn’t help myself from dozing off while watching the movie.

At first, I wrote this sentence like this: I couldn't help dozing off while watching the movie. Then, a native proofread and changed it to "I couldn't help myself from dozing off~." I don't understand the difference between the two. Also, I can't find "cannot help oneself from ~ing" in dictionaries. Is it more informal? Rolling Eyes

Would you tell me what the differences are?

Thank you in advance!

Alan · Fri Dec 28, 2007 11:08 am *can't help ~ing vs. can't help sb from ~ing*

Hi,

I would be quite happy with: 'I couldn't help dozing off ... ' The other construction seems too elaborate with 'help' and I would use it with another 'stronger' verb as in: I couldn't prevent/stop myself from ...'

Alan
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English as a Second Language
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sweetpumpkin · Sun Dec 30, 2007 9:33 am *can't help ~ing vs. can't help sb from ~ing*

Alan, [kamsahapnida] ← This is a Korean expression for 'Thank you'. Very Happy

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