MUSICIANS AND MUSIC

LESSON A. A world of music

DOUBLE COMPARATIVES
You can use two comparatives, each preceded by THE, in order to show how one quality or
amount is linked to another. The first comparative express a condition for the second
comparative.

The format of double comparatives is as follows:

The (more / less) + (noun /noun phrase) subject + verb + , + the (more / less) +
(noun) subject + verb
FOR EXAMPLE:
The more you like to dance, the more you appreciate music with a latin beat.
The more I hear a pop song on the radio, the less i feel like buying it.
The more exciting the soundtrack, the better the movie seems.

 Double comparatives are often employed to underline the importance of

DOING OR NOT DOING a certain actvity.
FOR EXAMPLE:
The more you study, the more you learn
First
comparative:condition

Second comparative

 You can also compare ADJECTIVES in the same way:

When using twocomparative adjectives, note the unique structure of the sentences:
The + comparative adjective + to be , + the + comparative adjective +
subject + verb + (infinitive of purpose)
Example:
The louder the music gets, the sooner i feel like leaving.
These forms can be mixed up as well. For example, a double comparative might
begin with a more / less plus a subject and then end in a comparative adjective plus
the subject.
Examples:
The lauder the music is, the more people turn their heads.
The more money he time he spends with her, the happier he becomes.

Double comparatives are often shortened in spoken English, especially when

used as a cliche. Here are someexamples of typical clichesusing double
comparatives.
The more the merrier
means...
The more people there are, the merrier everyone will be.
Double comparatives can also be turned into commands in theimperative
form when recommending certain actions:
Examples:
Study more, learn more.
Play less, study more.
Work more, save more.
Think harder, get smarter.

BAD DOUBLE COMPARATIVES

The use of the term double comparative also applies to the incorrect use of
two comparative forms together. Here are some examples:
This wine is more tastier than that bottle.
She is more funnier than Tom is.
Alexander is more taller than Franklin.

As we can see In this cases, 'more' is not required as the

comparative adjective form has been modified by the addition of 'ier'.

DOUBLE COMPARATIVES TO
SHOW CHANGE
Finally, double comparatives are also used to show a continual increase or
decrease.
EXAMPLES:
There are more and more people coming to this vacation spot.
It seems like there is less and less time to spend with the family these
days.
Recently, people are finding more and more time to spend with their
families.

A C T I V I T Y
Choose the correct double comparative:
1.Thehard/harderhe worked,themore/mostmoney he earned.
2.Theless/little/leastfood he ate,thethin/thinner/thinnesthe got.
3.Themore/mostslowly he worked , theless/little/leasthe earned.
4.Thefatter/fattestshe got , the moreslow/slowly/slowershe worked.
5.Thehard/harder/hardesthe worked , themore/mostmoney he
earned.

g
b

c
a