Read the passage:
The second half of the twentieth century saw more changes than the previous two hundred years. There were many remarkable advances in medicine that helped to increase our average life expectancy way beyond that of our ancestor's Incredible innovations such as television changed the way we spend our leisure hours. Perhaps the most important breakthrough, however, has been the microchip. Nobody could have imagined, when it was first invented, that within a matter of years, this tiny piece of silicon would be found in almost every household object form the kettle to the video recorder, And nobody could have predicted the sudden proliferation of computers that would completely change our lives, allowing us to access information from the other side of the world via the internet /www or send messages around the world by e-mail at the touch of a button. Meanwhile, research into other aspects of information technology is making it easier and cheaper for us to talk to friends and relations around the world.
Pollution will get worse ____ we continue to live in a throwaway society .
After help, we can use object + infinitive (with or without to).
| Can you help me (to) find my ring? (NOT | |
| Thank you so much for helping us (to) repair the car. | |
| Our main task is to help the company (to) become profitable. |
Help can also be followed directly by an infinitive without an object.
| Would you like to help pack? |
If you say that you cannot/can’t help doing something (especially in British English), you mean that you can’t stop yourself, even if you don’t want to do it.
| She’s a selfish woman, but somehow you can’t help liking her. | |
| Excuse me – I couldn’t help overhearing what you said. | |
| Sorry I broke the cup – I couldn’t help it. |
Can’t help can be followed by but + infinitive (without to), with the same meaning as can’t help verb + ing. This is common in American English.
| I can’t help but wonder what I should do next. |
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