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Anonymous Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

absence makes the heart grow fonder

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

Top answer

Hi, why is it not "absence makes the heart grow s fonder"? Because 'grow' here is the simple or bare infinitive. What we are saying is "absence makes the heart to grow fonder", except we omit the 'to'.

— Clive

  • Hi, why is it not "absence makes the heart grow s fonder"?
  • Because 'grow' here is the simple or bare infinitive.
  • What we are saying is "absence makes the heart to grow fonder", except we omit the 'to'.
  • Best wishes, Clive
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5 Answers
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Hi,

why is it not "absence makes the heart grows fonder"? Because 'grow' here is the simple or bare infinitive. What we are saying is "absence makes the heart to grow fonder", except we omit the 'to'.

Best wishes, Clive
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I would add a footnote.

Makes means compels. Then: absence compels the heart to grow fonder. The heart is in the objective case, as can be seen if a personal pronoun is substituted: absence compels him to grow fonder. But him is still considered to be the subject of the infinitive
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Clive has given you the right answer. As an aside, I would like to point out that although make takes a plain/bare infinitive (infinitive without to) in the active voice, in a passive sentence to must be used:

It made me smile.
They were made to do
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Hi guys,

In my experience of romantic relationships, absinthemakes the heart grow fonder. Emotion: wink
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CliveHi guys,

In my experience of romantic relationships, absinthemakes the heart grow fonder.
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