steeds + Comparative

Steeds Beter

Level 3

The Dutch construction steeds + comparative is used to express that something is changing continuously over time. It is the equivalent of the English 'more and more' or '-er and -er'.

How It Works

In Dutch, to say something is getting 'colder and colder' or 'more and more expensive,' you don't usually repeat the adjective. Instead, you use the word steeds followed by the comparative form.

1. Word Order and Form
The word steeds always comes before the adjective. The adjective must be in its comparative form (usually ending in -er or -der).

  • steeds groter (bigger and bigger)
  • steeds duurder (more and more expensive)

2. Usage with Verbs
This pattern is most frequently used with the verb worden (to become/get), but it can be used with any verb describing a process, such as groeien (to grow) or gaan (to go).

3. Attributive Use
If you use this phrase before a noun, you must follow the standard rules for adjective inflection by adding an -e to the comparative form.

  • de steeds betere resultaten (the increasingly better results)

Examples (5)

  1. Het wordt steeds kouder buiten.

    It is getting colder and colder outside.

    Word by Word: It becomes increasingly colder outside.

    Here, 'steeds' combined with 'kouder' shows a continuous drop in temperature.

  2. Er komen steeds meer toeristen naar Amsterdam.

    More and more tourists are coming to Amsterdam.

    Word by Word: There come increasingly more tourists to Amsterdam.

    'Meer' is the comparative of 'veel'. 'Steeds meer' is the standard way to say 'more and more' in terms of quantity.

  3. De huizen in deze stad worden steeds duurder.

    The houses in this city are becoming more and more expensive.

    Word by Word: The houses in this city become increasingly more expensive.

    This describes a progressive trend in the housing market.

  4. We moeten steeds sneller werken.

    We have to work faster and faster.

    Word by Word: We must increasingly faster work.

    In this case, 'steeds sneller' acts as an adverbial phrase modifying how the work is done.

  5. Ik begrijp er steeds minder van.

    I understand less and less of it.

    Word by Word: I understand there increasingly less of.

    'Minder' is the comparative of 'weinig'. This shows a progression toward less understanding.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the positive degree instead of the comparative.

    Het wordt steeds koud.
    Het wordt steeds kouder.

    In Dutch, 'steeds' must be followed by the comparative form (-er) to indicate progression. 'Steeds koud' would mean 'constantly cold' (repeatedly), which is not the intended meaning of 'getting colder'.

  • Using 'beter en beter' instead of 'steeds beter'.

    Different MeaningHet wordt beter en beter.
    Het wordt steeds beter.

    'Beter en beter' is also correct and means the same. 'Steeds beter' is just the more usual way to say that something keeps getting better.

  • Using 'steeds' where you mean 'still'.

    Different MeaningHet is steeds koud.
    Het is nog steeds koud.

    'Het is steeds koud' is correct Dutch, but it means 'it is always cold'. To say it is still cold, use 'nog steeds'.

How It Connects

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

steeds + ComparativeLevel 3Steeds Beter

Learn This First

To understand 'steeds + comparative', you first need to know how to form the comparative degree of Dutch adjectives (like 'beter' or 'sneller'). It is also important to understand the verb 'worden' (to become), as it is the most common verb used to express the progression described by this pattern.

Words in This Pattern

steeds