absence makes the heart grow fonder

hat123 · #1 10-Sep-2006, 14:29

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

**RonBee** · #2 10-Sep-2006, 15:44

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?)

hat123 · #3 11-Sep-2006, 13:32

Quote:

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?)

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

hat123 · #4 12-Sep-2006, 13:42

anyone?

Philly · #5 12-Sep-2006, 15:40

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.
.

Teia · #6 12-Sep-2006, 15:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by hat123

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

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,