〜ば〜ほど
JLPT N3:the more…, the more
"The more X, the more Y": as the first thing increases, the second changes along with it.
How to form it
- Put the word in its ば form, then repeat it in the dictionary form + ほど: 勉強すればするほど (the more you study).
- い-adjectives work the same way: 安ければ安いほど (the cheaper, the better).
- な-adjectives use なら〜なほど: 静かなら静かなほど.
- The ば part can be dropped: 考えるほど分からなくなる (the more I think, the less I understand).
Examples
日本語は勉強すればするほど面白くなる。
The more I study Japanese, the more interesting it gets.
値段は安ければ安いほどいい。
The cheaper, the better.
Common mistakes
- Not repeating the word. Say 見れば見るほど, not 見ればほど.
Similar meaning
- 〜につれてas (gradually)
"As": one gradual change goes along with another.