When to add 'S' on verbs?

Question

can someone help me.there is a quote says(The Frost,sometimes it makes the blade stick).I cannot understand why 'S' is not added to stick to make it 'sticks' because blade is only one and singular verb is used which is 'sticks'.Anyone please help me.What i knew was anything that is one or singular,the verb should add 'S'.For example,i also cannot understand why 'makes' we add 'S' at back .But the 'stick' part i really cannot understand why we cannot add 'S' at the back.Can you please teach me the proper techniques how to identify and when to add 'S' on a verb.Thank you very much.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

The finite verb is makes, and it has an 's'. Stick is an infinitive and does not change:

The frost makes the blade stick.
The frost is making the blade stick.
The frost has made the blade stick.

He makes his wife cook breakfast.
He helps her prepare breakfast.
She lets her sister help her.

Ruben · Answer

I still cannot understand.Can you please tell me in detail what is finite verb and infinitive and how to diffrenciate them.Furthermore,can you tell me  how to spot finite verb and infinitive and why finite verb has to add 'S' and why infinite no need to add 'S'.Please help me.My english is poor.Thank you very much

Mister Micawber · Answer

Then perhaps you should start by reading [url=http://www.englishgrammar.org/nonfinite-verbs/]HERE[/url].

Ruben · Answer

the one you posted THIS has been deleted.Why dont you tell/teach me .Your explanations are very good.Please help me.I need to understand this problem clearly.Thank you

CalifJim · Answer

RubenI cannot understand why 'S' is not added to stick to make it 'sticks'

The S is not used on verbs that occur after the verbs make, let, have, and help with just a noun phrase in between. After these verbs you use the base form, like this:

The frost makes the blade stick. (But, The blade sticks.)

The oil helps the engine run. (But, The engine runs.)

Her mother lets her go there alone. (But, She goes there alone.)

The boss always has the committee meet in this room. (But, The committee meets in this room.)

CJ

Ruben · Answer

But what happen if the sentece like this,(The frost makes the blades sticks) .Should the 's' added to the sentence to make it 'sticks' if the blade is plural.Example,blades.

BarbaraPA · Answer

No, blades is plural and the plural form of the verb would NOT have the S.

However, in this case, you have the main verb "make" so the "stick" verb will be in its bare infinitive form.

When to add 'S' on verbs?

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