bent or bend?

Use "bend" --
Normally this is a present tense verb. (I bend each piece by hand).
However, you can use it to describe an action in the past (when, as in this case, it is not the main verb, which is "help.")
I was made to bend down.

Normally, "bent" is past tense or used as an adjective.

She bent down before him. (Yesterday)
Her knees were bent. (Folded)

While I vaguely had the feeling that 'bend' was the right choice, I wasn't sure of the reason. I'm sorry to say that I still don't understand the reason properly. Thanks for the reply, by the way.

pritesh pritI still don't understand the reason properly.

"cannot help but" takes the plain form of the following verb.

I couldn't help but hear what you said.

CJ

What I meant to ask was why is the present tense form of the verb used.

pritesh pritWhat I meant to ask was why is the present tense form of the verb used.

The present tense is not used. The plain form is the form you find in the dictionary; it's the same as the infinitive without "to". It looks like the present tense for most verbs, but it's not. For example, the present of be is am, is, or are, and you wo

Thanks! Now I feel satisfied.