What would be correct? And why?
- I'm helping maintain the library.
- I'm helping to maintain the library.
- I'm helping maintaining the library.
- I'm helping in maintaining the library. (ok this one sounds quite wrong)
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The last one is fine: it indicates maintaining the library is a huge project, in which you're helping, perhaps temporarily. It's the third one which is awkward.– Andrew Leach ♦Commented Feb 27, 2020 at 13:15
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(3) is out by the Doubl-ing constraint, and (4) is OK. (1) and (2) are both OK, because help can take an infinitive with or without to.– John LawlerCommented Feb 27, 2020 at 15:43
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1 Answer
You use the verb 'help' with or without a 'to infinitive'. The meaning remains the same.
You don't help yourself but you help others. Your third sentence sounds like you're helping yourself in maintaining the library.
I'm helping _ in maintaining the library. You don't fill in that blank. The object of help could be anything but you.
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Also worth noting: While "I'm helping in maintaining the library" is not right, "I help in maintaining the library" is correct. Commented Feb 27, 2020 at 15:53
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So which answer would make the most sense if the question is "What have you been doing lately?" Commented Feb 27, 2020 at 21:02
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@CristianoCoelho: I've been helping maintain the library. Commented Feb 28, 2020 at 0:37