Confused: Literary historians cannot help but admit that they do not know...

[Myc]

"Literary historians cannot help but admit that they do not know whether poetry or drama is the oldest form of literature."

This sentence is wrong because you need a gerund after "cannot help", but why do you need a gerund after "cannot help"? Is cannot help an adjective?
I'm confused.

Thanks so much for your help!

[Yankee]

Hi myc

No, can't help is not an adjective -- it's a phrasal verb.

Certain verbs are always followed by a gerund (the -ing form of a verb), and can't help (meaning can't avoid) is in this category.

Can't help but means the same thing but is considered by some to be "non-standard". However, when used, "can't help but" is followed by the infinitve form of a verb (without 'to').

Amy
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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Myc]

which verbs are always followed by gerunds?