'Help Do Something', 'Help to Do Something', or 'Help Doing Something'? | Mastering Grammar

(Last Updated: 9 March 2026)

Help Do, Help to Do, or Help Doing: What Is the Difference?

When the verb help means 'to assist' or 'to make a situation better', it is not used with the -ing form of another verb. Instead, it is used with the infinitive (with or without to) in any of the following patterns:

✅ help do something
✅ help to do something
❌ help doing something

✅ help someone do something
✅ help someone to do something
❌ help someone doing something

Let's have a look at two sets of example sentences:

✅ Chris helps clean the toilet every day.
✅ Chris helps to clean the toilet every day.
❌ Chris helps cleaning the toilet every day.

✅ Chris helps us clean the toilet every day.
✅ Chris helps us to clean the toilet every day.
❌ Chris helps us cleaning the toilet every day.

The entry for the verb help (sense 1) in the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

The -ing form is only used with help in the expression can't/couldn't help doing something, which means 'can't/couldn't stop oneself doing something':

✅ The toilet was so smelly that they couldn't help feeling disgusted. (= They couldn't stop themselves feeling disgusted.)

✅ The story was so funny that I couldn't help laughing. (= I couldn't stop myself laughing.)

✅ We can't help laughing every time we watch that funny film. (= We can't stop ourselves laughing.)

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Examples from the Media

Zarrab said that he helped move "a few billion euros" from Halbank accounts for the Iranians, under the disguise of gold transactions. —The Washington Post (2017)

President Jin Liqun says the bank's lending will help to cut the debt burden of borrowing countries, with membership having grown to 102 in four years. —South China Morning Post (2020)

In the space of a pre-season, two trial games and three rounds of Super Rugby, Coleman has reminded the Waratahs they have a backbone. He has helped them earn back not only their fans' respect but their self-respect. — The Sydney Morning Herald (2022)

They said her clips had helped them to think differently or prompted them to seek help: "It was like 'Gosh, actually these are real people, and they're finding it useful.' So, I can't really stop now." —The Age (2022)

Children given to moping or self-pity were told to cheer up, count their blessings, look on the bright side and generally buck up their ideas. I can't help feeling that even in 2022, there's something to be said for this approach. —Daily Mail (2022)

When he first met her, she was with another guy, but he couldn't help noticing how gorgeous and friendly she was. —Toronto Star (2017)

Practice

Choose the correct answer to complete each sentence.

1. I can't help to think/thinking that they should have bought a smaller house.

2. Can you help carry/carrying this bag?

3. Paul helped me to find/finding my keys.

4. The new measures will help boost/boosting morale among the workers.

5. We can't help to feel/feeling sorry for the poor kid.

6. I'll do whatever it takes to help you succeed/succeeding.

Answer Key 

1. thinking    2. carry    3. to find    4. boost    5. feeling    6. succeed

Real-World Examples of Misuse

In this context, the verb help should be followed by an infinitive, either with or without to, rather than by a gerund.
(Source: Annabelle Mak, Sing Tao Daily)
(Also by the Same Tutor: 1/2/3/4/5/6)

1. Alternatively, you could say who I look after.
2. Help should be followed by improve in this instance.
(Source: HA Go mobile application)

(Source: CLASSROOM Primary Good Writing Guide, Book 3)

1. The original sentence used the definite article the, which assumes the reader already knows which specific photo is being discussed. Since this is a general statement about how photos function in posts, the indefinite article a is the more appropriate choice. It introduces the photo as a general example rather than a specific one.
2. The original repeated the word people unnecessarily, which resulted in a clunky sentence structure. By slightly rewording the sentence, one of the two instances of people can be removed for a smoother, more concise flow. An even more concise alternative could be: In a post, a photo provides context to help readers easily understand what is being said.
3. The phrase interest them is essential information, as it defines which specific hashtags users would follow (i.e. only the ones they find interesting). In modern English, especially in American English, the relative pronoun that is preferred for introducing such essential (restrictive or defining) clauses. While using which is not incorrect, that is considered tighter and more standard for essential information. An alternative, more concise version could be: Users can quickly search for and follow Instagram hashtags that interest them.
4. Changing retaining to retain corrects a grammatical error concerning verb patterns. The verb help can be followed by either an infinitive (e.g. helps (to) retain) or an object plus an infinitive (e.g. helps them (to) retain). The original used the gerund retaining, which is grammatically incorrect in this construction.
5. In Hong Kong, it does not really matter whether you use British or American spelling. If you prefer British English, use internalise and practise. However, if you prefer American English, use internalize and practice. If you are writing for a general audience, the most important rule is simply to be consistent.
6. The word vocabulary itself refers to a collection of words or terms. Adding items is often seen in textbook language but can sound slightly awkward and textbook-like in natural writing. Simply using vocabulary is cleaner and more idiomatic. Additionally, the definite article the before new vocabulary can be removed when making a general statement about vocabulary learning.
7. Engaging and interesting have very similar meanings and can be considered somewhat redundant when used together. Replacing one of them with a word like effective solves the potential redundancy while also adding a more purposeful dimension to the statement. It tells the reader not just that the method is enjoyable (engaging), but that it actually works (effective).
(Source: Annabelle Mak, Sing Tao Daily)
(Also by the Same Tutor: 1/2/3/4/5/6)