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Latest post Tue, Mar 11 2008 7:21 PM by Anonymous. 3 replies.
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Anonymous  +  487554 Tue, 11 Mar 08 06:21 PM

Hi,

Is  the sentence  correct?

'He can't help but be upset.'

I think it should be 'He can't help but to be upset.'

Which is correct? Thanks!

CalifJim  +  487569 Tue, 11 Mar 08 06:41 PM
After help, the following verb can have or not have the to.

After help but, the to is almost always omitted, but you can put it in if you really want to. 

CJ 

Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004
California
Veteran Member 22,415
"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche
Anonymous, 1 yr 257 days ago

Thanks! CJ

Marius Hancu  +  487595 Tue, 11 Mar 08 07:32 PM
At the New York Times:

2 from nytimes.com for "can't help but to be"
1,610 from nytimes.com for "can't help but be"

just as Jim mentioned. 

Joined on Wed, Apr 26 2006
Veteran Member 11,673
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