the + comparative, the + comparativeBoth parts use the + comparative. The first change leads to the second change.
Comparative Structures
B2Use these patterns to describe change and degree: the more... the more..., more and more, less and less, and by far the + superlative.
What you'll learn
- Link two changing situations with the more... the more....
- Show an ongoing increase with more and more.
- Show an ongoing decrease with less and less.
- Use by far the + superlative for a clear winner.
- Recognize which marker fits the meaning you want.
Structure
become/get + more and more + adjective/adverbUse this for a continuing increase over time.
become/get + less and less + adjective/adverbUse this for a continuing decrease over time.
by far + the + superlative (+ noun/in phrase)Use this when the top position is not close. It strengthens the superlative.
Build a sentence
Pattern
Topic
The more Maria studies,the more confident she feels
The more Maria studies, the more confident she feels.
Repeat the + comparative in both parts.
When to use
Linked changes
Use it when one thing changes together with another: effort and results, price and quality, speed and risk.
Growing trend
Use it for one direction over time: cities get more crowded, apps become more useful, people work more efficiently.
Falling trend
Use it when something steadily drops: traffic becomes less heavy, mistakes happen less often, rooms feel less noisy.
Clear winner
Use it when one option is much better, bigger, faster, or worse than all the others in the group.
Markers
the morethe lessmore and moreless and lessby farfar and away
Common mistakes
Wrong
The more Tom reads, more relaxed he feels.
Correct
The more Tom reads, the more relaxed he feels.
This pattern is paired. Use the before both comparative parts.
Wrong
The more Anna trains, the strong she gets.
Correct
The more Anna trains, the stronger she gets.
After the, use a comparative form, not the base adjective.
Wrong
The city is becoming more crowded every year.
Correct
The city is becoming more and more crowded every year.
Use more and more to show continuing change over time, not a single comparison.
Wrong
The road is getting less busy at night.
Correct
The road is getting less and less busy at night.
Use less and less when the change continues in the same direction.
Wrong
Maria is by far taller than Emma.
Correct
Maria is by far the tallest in the class.
By far goes with a superlative, not with a comparative + than structure.
Wrong
This is by far best restaurant here.
Correct
This is by far the best restaurant here.
The superlative needs the after by far.
Common misconceptions
❝ If the sentence already has a time phrase like every year, one more is enough. ❞
A time phrase does not replace the pattern. Use more and more or less and less to show repeated change over time.
❝ By far can strengthen any comparison. ❞
Use by far with the superlative here. It highlights one clear top result in a group.
Skills in this rule (5)
THE_MORE_THE_MOREw5Use the more... the more... to link two changing situations
Use this pattern when one change grows together with another change. Repeat the + comparative structure in both parts.
MORE_AND_MOREw5Use more and more or less and less for a continuing change
Use this pattern when a quality keeps increasing or decreasing over time. Put it before long adjectives or with adverbs and other comparison words.
LESS_AND_LESSw4Use less and less to show a continuing decrease
Choose less and less when something becomes weaker, smaller, or lower over time. The pattern stays the same with adjectives and adverbs.
BY_FAR_THE_SUPERLATIVEw5Use by far before the superlative for a big difference
Use by far with the superlative when one person or thing is clearly above all others. Put by far before the superlative phrase.
PICK_COMPARISON_MARKERSw3Recognize markers that signal a comparison pattern
Notice cues like the more, more and more, less and less, and by far. These markers show whether the sentence links two changes, shows one ongoing change, or highlights a clear winner.