I can't help it vs I can't help myself

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'I can't help it' is used when referring to a situation or action that one cannot control, while 'I can't help myself' is used when referring to a personal impulse or behavior that one cannot resist.

Last updated: March 24, 2024 • 1193 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express the inability to control a situation or action.

"I can't help it"

This phrase is used to convey that the speaker is unable to prevent or change a particular situation or action.

Examples:

I always cry at sad movies. I can't help it.
She has a habit of interrupting people. She can't help it.

Show examples from the web [+]

I can't help it, rowdy.
It's completely crazy, and I can't help it.
I can't help it, Mother.
It's childish, but I can't help it.
Yoko, I can't help it.
- Florence, I can't help it.
I can't help it, Randy.
I can't help it, I always smile.
Because... I can't help it.
I can't help it, Gem.
Yes, I can't help it.
I can't help it, Amy.
Stacy... and I- I can't help it.
I can't help it, but...
I can't help it, George.
I can't help it if accidents happen.
I can't help it, Franks.
I can't help it if he recognises my superior talents.
I can't help it, Master.
I can't help it, Dean.

Alternatives:

I can't control it
I can't stop it
I can't prevent it
I have no control over it
It's beyond my control

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express the inability to resist a personal impulse or behavior.

"I can't help myself"

This phrase is used to convey that the speaker is unable to resist a personal impulse or behavior, often implying a lack of self-control.

Examples:

I eat chocolate every day. I can't help myself.
He always flirts with everyone. He can't help himself.

Show examples from the web [+]

I can't help myself around lulu.
That I can't help myself, that, that it's bigger than me.
I'm so happy that I can't help myself.
But I can't help myself.
Then maybe it's because I'm pure evil, and I can't help myself.
But he's so conservative that I can't help myself.
I can't help myself, Mr. Marlott.
You know that I can't help myself.
That's not why I pray, Harry. I pray because I can't help myself.
I can't help myself, Willard!
I get hungry, and I try to put it off for as long as I can, but then finally I just... I get so hungry that I can't help myself, and...
I can't help myself.
I can't help myself.
But I can't help myself.
I can't help myself.
Because I can't help myself.
Sorry. I can't help myself.
Because I can't help myself.
See, I can't help myself, either.
I can't help myself, Tommy.

Alternatives:

I can't resist
I can't control myself
I can't stop myself
I can't hold back
I have no self-control

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I can't help it vs I can't help myself

"I can't help it"

"I can't help myself"

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