〜ば〜ほど

Formationば form + dictionary form + ほど

Repeating the verb in the ば form and then with ほど builds the frame English writes as the more you do this, the more that happens. Both halves use the same word, which is what makes the pattern easy to spot. Adjectives fit it too, with the same doubling.

Examples

〜ば〜ほど is marked in each sentence. Tap any word for its dictionary entry.

1. 「急いそげば急いそぐほど遅おそくなる」は逆説ぎゃくせつである。

   More haste, less speed is a paradox.

2. ポップコーンは食たべれば食たべるほどもっと食たべたくなる。

   The more popcorn you eat, the more you want.

3. 持もてば持もつほど、欲張よくばりになる。

   The more you have, the more you want.

4. 心理しんり学がくを勉強べんきょうすればするほど面白おもしろいと思おもえてきたんだ。

   The more I studied psychology, the more interesting it seemed to me.

5. 禁煙きんえんするのが早はやければ早はやいほど、そのメリットは大おおきくなる。

   The sooner you give up smoking, the greater the benefits.