Orville and Wilbur Wright, the inventors of the first flying machine, had always had a compelling interest in aeronautics and mechanics. As young boys, they earned money by making and selling kites and mechanical toys. Later, they built a printing press and operated a bicycle-repair shop. In 1903, the Wright brothers built their first airplane. They even designed and built their own source of propulsion - a lightweight gasoline engine. By 1905, they had perfected the first airplane that could remain airborne for half an hour at a time As the contributors of one of the most outstanding engineering achievements in history, the Wright brothers are called the fathers of aviation
The Wright brothers' interest in aeronautics led to
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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