〜てならない

About

The ～てならない pattern is a combination of a て form verb or adjective and 「ならない」, the negative form of なる.

～てならない is used to express strong, irrepressible feelings or actions that the speaker can't help but do. (～てならない refers specifically to the speaker's feelings/actions, and additional grammar should be used to refer to someone else.)

～てならない attaches to the て form of verbs and い-adjectives, while な-adjectives need the use of で.

E.g. 『火垂ほたるの墓はか』を見みると、泣なけてならない。 "When I watch Grave of the Fireflies, I can't help but cry."

E.g. 最後さいごの最後さいごで逆転ぎゃくてんされたのが、悔くやしくてならない。 "Losing at the very last minute, I couldn't help but feel disappointed."

E.g. 出口でぐちなんてないのに、どうして脱出だっしゅつできたのか不思議ふしぎでならない。 "I'm very unsure about how they escaped, given that there is no exit."

We can approximate ～てならない in English with "can't help but do/feel X" (often when combined with verbs), or "so/extremely/very X" (often with adjectives).

～てならない is slightly formal/stiff/written in tone. It can also be used in polite scenarios.

Summary

• 

  ～てならない is used to express strong, irrepressible feelings or actions that the speaker can't help but do

• 

  ～てならない attaches to the て form of verbs and い-adjectives, while な-adjectives need the use of で

• 

  ～てならない is slightly formal/stiff/written in tone