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Double Comparatives

Learn how to use double comparatives to show gradual changes or cause-effect relationships. Understand sentences like The more you study, the better your grades.

What Are Double Comparatives?

Double comparatives use two comparative forms in one sentence to show changes over time or cause-and-effect relationships. For example, The more you exercise, the healthier you become.

Why Is This Important?

Using double comparatives correctly allows you to express relationships between actions or describe trends more effectively.

How to Form Double Comparatives

Double comparatives are formed using two comparative adjectives or adverbs. Common structures include:
- The more/less + subject + verb, the more/less + subject + verb
- The + comparative adjective/adverb, the + comparative adjective/adverb

Common Examples

The more you practice, the better you get.
The less sugar you eat, the healthier you are.

Key Points

  • Use 'the more' or 'the less' to compare actions
    • The more you read, the more you learn.
    • The less you worry, the happier you are.
  • Use 'the + comparative' for gradual changes
    • The faster he runs, the more tired he gets.
    • The harder you work, the more successful you become.
  • Common mistakes: Do not use 'than' in double comparatives
    • Incorrect: The more you study than, the better you do.
    • Correct: The more you study, the better you do.

Rules for Using Double Comparatives

  • Use 'the more/less' + clause to show a direct relationship

    • The more you practice, the better you get.
    • The less you sleep, the more tired you feel.
    • The more money you save, the richer you become.

  • Use 'the + comparative' + clause to show gradual changes

    • The faster he runs, the more tired he gets.
    • The harder you work, the more successful you become.
    • The older we get, the wiser we become.

  • Do not use 'than' in double comparatives

    • Incorrect: The more you study than, the better you do.
    • Correct: The more you study, the better you do.
    • Incorrect: The faster he runs than, the more tired he gets.

  • Special Cases & Exceptions:

    Some phrases are commonly used with double comparatives to emphasize change.

  • Some set phrases frequently use double comparatives.

    • The more, the merrier.
    • The sooner, the better.
    • The bigger, the better.

  • Avoid unnecessary repetition in double comparatives.

    • Incorrect: The more you more practice, the better you more get.
    • Correct: The more you practice, the better you get.
ExampleTenseUse
The more you study, the better your grades.Double ComparativeCause-and-effect relationship
The harder he trains, the stronger he becomes.Double ComparativeGradual change
The less sugar you eat, the healthier you are.Double Comparative'The less' to show negative correlation
The sooner we leave, the better.Double ComparativeFixed phrase for emphasis

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with the creators of these videos. These are publicly available resources used to provide additional information on the topic.