Meaning
This pattern expresses a proportional relationship between two things: as the degree or extent of one thing increases, another thing also increases accordingly. It shows cause-and-effect or correlation in degree changes. The pattern pairs a conditional clause with a comparative phrase to emphasize the correlative relationship.
Formation
Examples
-
運動すればするほど、体が丈夫になります。
The more you exercise, the stronger your body becomes. -
お客さんは多ければ多いほど良い。
The more customers there are, the better it is. -
お祭りは、賑やかなら賑やかなほど楽しいです。
The more lively and bustling the festival is, the more enjoyable it becomes.
Summary
- Forms a proportional relationship between two comparable situations or qualities
- Uses conditional forms (ば/ければ/なら) followed by the same word plus ほど
- Commonly used to express that increasing one factor leads to proportional increases in another factor