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

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

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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