I can't help + (verb-ing)

[Jadoon 84]

Kindly teach me the meaning & uses (context) of the following sentences.

1. I can't help chatting.
2. I can't help smiling when I see her.

Furthermore, 1. Can we use it with (we, she, you etc)? and 2. How will we use it the Past and future tense? Please give few examples please.

Regards

 

[Tdol]

It means that you can't stop yourself/it's impossible to do anything other than chat/smile.

 

[Jadoon 84]

I got it. But kindly explain its past & future uses with an example.

Thank you very much.

 

[5jj]

I got it. But kindly explain its past & future uses with an example.

Thank you very much.

Note that 'kindly' is not a synonym for 'please'. It is often used as a rather formal order, and can suggest impatience.

I can't help smiling when I see her.

Past: I couldn't help smiling when I saw her yesterday.

It's not commonly used when talking about the future. We don't know in advance whether it will be impossible to do anything but smile.

 

[Jadoon 84]

Sir
It is very clear now, I understood the difference between "kindly and please" as well. It is Usingenglish.com and you people we are learning from sitting in the rural areas of third world. What a source of English this site is !
Regards.

Abdul Basit
Kabul, Afghanistan

 

[Tdol]

I don't think I will ever get over the amazement at being able to communicate with people from all over the world. ;-)