čím dál tím + Comparative

Progressive Comparison

Level 6

The phrase čím dál tím is used to show that a state or action is gradually intensifying over time, much like the English 'more and more' or 'increasingly'.

How It Works

At an advanced level, it is important to understand the precise mechanics and register of čím dál tím:

  • Morphological Agreement: When modifying a noun attributively, the phrase attaches to a comparative adjective, which must fully agree with the noun in gender, number, and case (e.g., do čím dál tím hlubšího lesa). It is also frequently used with predicative adjectives following a copula verb (e.g., je čím dál tím lepší). When modifying a verb, it attaches to an invariable comparative adverb (e.g., běží čím dál tím rychleji). To simply say 'doing [verb] more and more', you must add the comparative adverb víc(e) or míň(e) (e.g., čím dál tím víc prší).
  • Quantifying Nouns: To express 'more and more [noun]' or 'less and less [noun]', attach the phrase to a comparative quantifier (víc/více or míň/méně) followed by the noun in the genitive after quantities (e.g., čím dál tím víc lidí). However, this genitive rule only applies in structural cases (nominative and accusative). In oblique cases (dative, locative, instrumental), the noun takes the case dictated by the verb or preposition, and the quantifier acts as an indeclinable modifier (e.g., s čím dál tím více lidmi).
  • The Comma Trap: Because it resembles the correlative structure čím..., tím..., learners often incorrectly insert a comma (čím dál, tím...). However, when functioning as the fixed phrase meaning 'increasingly', čím dál tím must never contain an internal comma. (Note: True correlative sentences involving physical distance or progression, such as Čím dál jsme šli, tím větší byla tma, do take a comma).
  • Grammaticalization of 'dál': Do not confuse dál here with physical distance. In this pattern, it is entirely grammaticalized to denote temporal progression.
  • Register and Variants: The full phrase čím dál tím is ubiquitous across all registers. The shortened variant čím dál + komparativ (omitting tím) is also extremely common and perfectly standard.
  • Synonyms: Functionally, this pattern is identical to using stále or pořád + comparative (e.g., stále složitější). However, čím dál tím emphasizes the gradual, ongoing escalation.

Crucial Distinction: Do not confuse this standalone phrase with the correlative structure čím [komparativ], tím [komparativ] (e.g., Čím dříve, tím lépe – The sooner, the better), which links two dependent variables as cause and effect.

Examples (6)

  1. Situace je čím dál tím složitější.

    The situation is becoming more and more complicated.

    Word by Word: Situation is the further the more complicated.

    The pattern attaches to a comparative adjective that agrees with the feminine subject 'situace'.

  2. Prší čím dál tím víc.

    It is raining more and more.

    Word by Word: Rains the further the more.

    Here, the pattern modifies a verb and attaches to the comparative adverb 'víc'.

  3. Soudy byly čím dál tím méně ochotny odsuzovat.

    The courts were increasingly less willing to convict.

    Word by Word: Courts were the further the less willing to-convict.

    The pattern can also express a progressive decrease when used with 'méně' (less).

  4. Mluví čím dál rychleji.

    He is speaking faster and faster.

    Word by Word: Speaks the further faster.

    This demonstrates the perfectly standard shortened variant 'čím dál' (omitting 'tím') with a comparative adverb.

  5. Vstupovali do čím dál tím hlubšího lesa.

    They were entering an ever deeper forest.

    Word by Word: Entered into the further deeper forest.

    Notice how the comparative adjective 'hlubšího' must agree in case (genitive) with the noun 'lesa' after the preposition 'do'.

  6. Mám čím dál tím méně času.

    I have less and less time.

    Word by Word: I-have the further the less of-time.

    To express 'less and less [noun]', the pattern attaches to the comparative quantifier 'méně', which requires the following noun ('času') to be in the genitive case.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the base (positive) adjective instead of the comparative.

    Je to čím dál tím dobrý.
    Je to čím dál tím lepší.

    The pattern strictly requires a comparative form. You cannot attach it to a base adjective or adverb.

  • Adding a comma inside the fixed phrase 'čím dál tím' (The Comma Trap).

    Je to čím dál, tím lepší.
    Je to čím dál tím lepší.

    Because it resembles the correlative structure 'čím..., tím...', learners often incorrectly insert a comma. However, when used as a single fixed phrase meaning 'increasingly', 'čím dál tím' must never contain an internal comma. True correlatives involving distance (e.g., 'Čím dál jsme šli, tím...') still require a comma.

  • Confusing it with the correlative 'the more... the more...' structure.

    Čím dál tím víc prší, tím víc je mokro.
    Čím víc prší, tím víc je mokro.

    'Čím dál tím' is a standalone phrase meaning 'increasingly'. If you want to express a condition ('the more X, the more Y'), use the correlative structure 'čím [komparativ], tím [komparativ]' without the word 'dál'.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

čím dál tím + ComparativeLevel 6Progressive Comparison

Learn This First

To learn the progressive comparison 'čím dál tím', learners must first be comfortable forming comparative adjectives and adverbs, as these provide the semantic core of the expression. Additionally, familiarity with the demonstrative pronoun 'ten' (specifically its instrumental form 'tím') is necessary to recognize the components of this fixed grammatical construction.

Words in This Pattern

čímtím