Double Comparatives
Double comparatives use two parallel comparative structures to express that one thing changes in proportion to another. They create emphasis and show progression.
What are double comparatives?
Double comparatives use the structure the + comparative … the + comparative to show that two things change proportionally — as one increases, so does the other.
The more you practise, the better you get.
The harder she worked, the more successful she became.
The sooner we leave, the earlier we'll arrive.
The older I get, the more I appreciate simple things.
Structure
The + comparative adjective/adverb + subject + verb, the + comparative + subject + verb
| First clause | Second clause |
|---|---|
| The more you read, | the more you know. |
| The faster he drove, | the more dangerous it became. |
| The less sleep she got, | the harder it was to concentrate. |
Negative double comparatives
The less you worry, the happier you'll be.
The fewer mistakes you make, the better your score.
The less money he spent, the more he saved.
Repeating a comparative for emphasis
A comparative adjective or adverb can also be repeated to show gradual increase.
The noise got louder and louder.
She ran faster and faster.
The situation became more and more complicated.
Tip: The verb in double comparative clauses is often omitted (ellipsis) when it is clear from context: The more, the merrier (= the more people there are, the merrier the occasion will be).