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Kevin Yi
Is this sentence gramatically correct?
Be patient and even-tempered and remember that the least we can do is not make his becoming more difficult than the earth makes it for spring when it decides to come.
I found this sentence in a novel named the letters to a young poet. shouldn't the verb 'is' be followed by 'to make' instead of 'make'?
Dec 14, 2018 6:49 AM
Answers · 7
1
What I can do is (to) answer your question: the 'to' is optional. In the case of your example sentence, the meaning would be clearer with 'to' added.
The grammar of the sentence is fine, though I would say it is not beautifully written.
December 14, 2018
Thanks Nanren, why is it fine? as we only have one verb in a sentence isn't it?
December 14, 2018
"make his becoming" has no obvious meaning. What is one's "becoming" ?
.
Shouldn't it be "to make"?
No.
..the least we can do is not make ... is fine
..the least we can do is to not make ... also fine
December 14, 2018
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Kevin Yi
Language Skills
Chinese (Mandarin), English
Learning Language
English
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