Can't Help But (Overwhelming Feeling)
6 related grammar points that express the same core idea - compared below so you can tell which one to reach for.
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- ～ずにはいられない JLPT N2
- ～ていられない JLPT N2
- ～でたまらない JLPT N2
- ～でならない JLPT N2
- Verb ずにはすまない JLPT N1
- Verb てやまない JLPT N1
ずにはいられない / ていられない / でならない
The situation will not let you carry on as you were.
～ていられない vs ～ずにはいられない: Use ていられない: 黙っていられない, 寝てなどいられない. It says continuing is no longer an option given the circumstances. ずにはいられない is an urge you cannot suppress, which is about your own impulse rather than what the situation permits.
An emotion, rather than a physical sensation, that will not let up.
～でならない vs ～でたまらない: でならない takes feelings and thoughts (残念でならない, 心配でならない). でたまらない covers intense sensations too (暑くてたまらない), so it is the broader of the two; でならない used of heat or pain sounds wrong.
ずにはすまない / てやまない
Expressing a feeling you have never stopped holding, in formal writing.
Verb てやまない vs Verb ずにはすまない: Use てやまない, with the narrow set of verbs it takes (願ってやまない, 期待してやまない). ずにはすまない is an obligation, not a feeling: it says the matter cannot be closed without you doing something, usually apologising or paying.