absence makes the heart grow fonder

why is it not "absence makes the heart grows fonder"?

Examine phrases that begin "makes the" and you will see that they are similar. Examples:

Fertilizer makes the grass grow faster.
Having a deadline makes Tom work faster.
Giving him encouragement makes Ron work harder.

What do you think is the principle at work here? (And does it matter?)

:-)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RonBee

Examine phrases that begin "makes the" and you will see that they are similar. Examples:

Fertilizer makes the grass grow faster.

Having a deadline makes Tom work faster.

Giving him encouragement makes Ron work harder.

What do you think is the principle at work here? (And does it matter?)

:-)

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am i right to say that "grow" and "work" in the above examples are not verb? if not what are they? adjectives?

anyone?

Hi hat123
.
The verb make is used as a "causative verb" in your sentence. Make someone/something do (something) means "force or cause someone/something to do (something)". As you can see, after using the words cause or force, you need the "to infinitive". But when make is used as a causative, it is used in combination with a "bare infinitive".
.
make + someone/something + bare infinitive
.
So, in your original sentence, grow is a bare infinitive.
.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hat123

why is it not "absence makes the heart grows fonder"?

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Hi

As Philly has already written ,"make' is a causative verb and it is followed by a short or bare infinitive.
Other causative verbs are "help" and "let" :
e.g.

Help him do his homework.
Let me help you with your homework.

Hope it helps.

All the best,

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hat123

am i right to say that "grow" and "work" in the above examples are not verb? if not what are they? adjectives?

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Say:

Am I right to say that "grow" and "work" in the above examples are not verbs? If not what are they? Adjectives?

:-)