Is "The more the better" a sentence or phrase?

Jupiter · Mon Dec 04, 2006 5:09 am *Is "The more the better" a sentence or phrase?*

Hi teachers,

"The more the better"

1/ Could you please tell me the function of the phrase "the more" in the above comparison?

2/ Is "The more the better" a sentence or phrase?

3/ Can I say "The more is the better"?

Thanks in advance

jupiter

Alan · Mon Dec 04, 2006 10:47 am *Is "The more the better" a sentence or phrase?*

Hi,

There is no need to include 'is' in this construction/phrase. Other examples:

The bigger the better/The faster the better. You can also use the same construction with verbs as in:

The more you read, the better your vocabulary becomes.

A
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English as a Second Language
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Yankee · Mon Dec 04, 2006 11:22 am *Is "The more the better" a sentence or phrase?*

Hi Jupiter

That's a standard construction for comparatives: the ... the ...

Each 'the' is followed by a comparative. The example you gave is the simplest formation and would refer back to something previously said, so many of the words are simply understood. For example, if someone had offered you a piece of cake and wanted to know whether you wanted a big piece or a small piece, you might answer "The bigger (the piece of cake is) the better (I will like it)."

As Alan mentioned, you will also find more complex the... the... sentences:

The longer you wait, the worse it will get.
The more fruit you eat, the healthier you will be.
The less time you waste, the better off you will be.

Amy
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Amy
.
ESL teacher, and native speaker of American English

Jupiter · Tue Dec 05, 2006 6:07 am *Thanks*

Hi teachers,

Thanks a lot for your explanation. It did help me very much.

Please see below:

"The more you read, the better your vocabulary becomes"

1/ What is the function of "the more" in the above sentence?
Is it an adverb?

"Of all my relative, I love my uncle the best."

2/ Does "the best" function as an adverb?

3/ Can I say "Of all my relative, I love my uncle the most"

Thanks in advance

Jupiter

Jupiter · Wed Dec 06, 2006 12:17 pm *Thanks*

Hi teacher,

I'm waiting for your response

Thanks in advance

Jupiter

Yankee · Wed Dec 06, 2006 14:53 pm *Is "The more the better" a sentence or phrase?*

Hi Jupiter

Adverb: Yes, yes and yes. Very Happy

And your sentence needs an 's':
"Of all my relatives, I love my uncle the most."

Amy
_________________
Amy
.
ESL teacher, and native speaker of American English

Sir_ProS · Sun Sep 21, 2008 5:58 am *Can I use...?!*

..Sentence: "We supply the better air conditions" like a slogan...

Sir_ProS · Sun Sep 21, 2008 6:00 am *Is "The more the better" a sentence or phrase?*

"We supply the better air conditions".. Can I use it..?!

Molly · Sun Sep 21, 2008 11:45 am *Is "The more the better" a sentence or phrase?*

Sir_ProS · Sun Sep 21, 2008 19:24 pm *10x..!*

hmm..I change my conception...
Now I use : "We supply the best conditions"... is that appropriate slogan from the English grammar point of view...?!

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