【问】 (1) “Do you travel much?”

“Not more than I can help by sea. ”(《灵格风英语教程》，P.79)

(2) Don't tell him more than you can help. (Mis)

这里can和help的含义很不好理解。

【答】 can't (couldn't) help的含义想必你已经很熟悉了(参见can't help)。这里的can help就等于can't help(不能避免，没有办法避免)。这样说，一定令你很惊讶，但这是事实!as littleas you can help的意思恰好是as little as you can't help。这种用肯定形式表示否定内容的用法，虽然曾遭到过某些语法学家的指责(他们认为这种用法是不合逻辑的)，但现已固定下来，并被广泛使用。下面是一些实例及其汉译：

1. I shan't stay longer than I can help. (Mis)

我停留的时间将尽量少。

2. He never does more work than he can help. (LDCE)

他从不多做工作。

3. Don't spend more money than you can help.

能不花的钱，就不要花。

4. I shall not work any harder than I can help.

我不会工作得过分辛苦。

5. She made as little noise as she could help，but she still woke up the baby. (RWRT)

她尽量不出响声，但是，她还是把婴儿吵醒了。

不难看出，上面各句中的can(could)help=can't (could't) help。more than you can help=more than you have to=more than is necessary。