"I won't stay longer than I can help" or "longer than I can't help"?

Question

I've come across the following sentence recently:

"I won't stay longer than I can help."

I've heard similar uses of "can help" in other contexts and they all sounded strange to me.  Shouldn't we say :

"I won't stay longer than I can't help."

In the same manner, doesn't it sound strange to say:

"I'm not driving at night, unless I can help it"

Shouldn't one say "unless I can't help it"?

Tim · Accepted Answer

No, one shouldn't.

If you can help it, you won't do it.

"I won't stay longer than I can help."

Maybe better is

"I won't stay longer than I can manage."

meaning

"I will not stay longer if I don't need to"

or alternatively

"I will stay longer if I do need to."

Rah · Answer

I can help,myself. Now focus on myself. The sentence is "I won't be longer than I can help". This will be the maximum time i will be there and not a second more because after a second i would not be able to help myself to stay at that particular place. The part "I can help" is supporting I won't be longer.

Answered by Rah on June 14, 2021

Greybeard · Answer

they all sounded strange to me.

They are not:
"I couldn't help staying - I had come with John and he had to make the final speech."
"I won't stay longer than I can help [staying].
"I won't eat any more than I can eat."
"I won't pay more than I can afford."

"I won't stay longer than I can help" or "longer than I can't help"?

3 Answers

Add your own answers!

Ask a Question