Repeated Comparatives

B1 Eiken 2 Intermediate

comparative + and + comparative; more and more + adjective

Explanation

Use repeated comparatives to show a change that keeps growing. Short adjectives usually take "-er and -er": "hotter and hotter". Longer adjectives usually take "more and more": "more and more natural".

For example, "My English is becoming more and more natural." Here, "My English" is the subject, "is becoming" shows change now, and "more and more natural" shows that the change keeps increasing. In Japanese, you often say "どんどん" or "だんだん", but English repeats the comparative form.

Note, when using the negative form, use "not any" + verb, such as "Not any cooler."

Examples

  • The tea is getting hotter and hotter. 紅茶がどんどん熱くなっています。
  • This train is getting more and more crowded. この電車はますます混んでいます。
  • My English is becoming more and more natural. 私の英語はだんだん自然になってきています。
  • Are the days getting shorter and shorter? 日がどんどん短くなっていますか。
  • The room is not getting any warmer. 部屋は一向に暖かくならない。
  • As winter comes, the nights are getting colder and colder. 冬が近づくにつれて、夜はどんどん寒くなっています。
  • His job is making him more and more stressed. 彼の仕事はますます彼にストレスを与えている。

Common Mistakes

Japanese learners often add "more" twice, like "more hotter and hotter." Use only one comparative pattern. Say "hotter and hotter" for short adjectives, and "more and more interesting" for longer adjectives.

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