Learn English – cannot do anything or can do nothing

negationphrase-meaning

I need to describe a situation when one is not able to help something. For instance my friend came home and found that the Internet is down. She calls me and asks something like this:

… Can you do anything to help me out?

I am willing to help but I am not at home and cannot think of a real way to help localizing the problem. Which of the following do I use to better express my uselessness for the cause?

  1. I cannot do anything to help.
  2. I can do nothing to help.

Is there any noticable difference in the meaning? Which variant is more natural?

Best Answer

I cannot do anything to help.
I can do nothing to help.
There is nothing I can do to help.

All have the same meaning and can usually be interchanged, meaning you are not able to offer any assistance.