help do somwthing/help with doing somwthing

[worcester]

Hi everyone,
Are sentences N1 and N4 possible?

1. "I need you to help me with writing this letter."
2. "I need you to help me write this letter."
3. Can you help me do this exercise?
4. Can you help me with doing this exercise?

Thank you.

 

[Rover_KE]

No.

 

[5jj]

I rarely disagree with Rover. Thre's no point - he's almost always right. But (there has to be a 'but'), I, personally, feel that #1 is acceptable.. Unfortunately, neither COCA nor BNC can produce enough citations to support my feeling. Come to my rescue, somebody!

 

[MikeNewYork]

I rarely disagree with Rover. Thre's no point - he's almost always right. But (there has to be a 'but'), I, personally, feel that #1 is acceptable.. Unfortunately, neither COCA nor BNC can produce enough citations to support my feeling. Come to my rescue, somebody!

How about half a rescue? I am not wild about either 1 or 4, but I really can't say they are ungrammatical. Number 2 and 3 are better. I think 1 and 4 would be better if the words "writing" and "doing" were deleted.

1. I need you to help me with this letter.

4. Can you help me with this exercise?