kung ... mas ...

The More / if Then Comparison

Level 3

Use kung mas... mas... to show how two things change together. It correlates the degree of one quality with the result in another.

How It Works

The kung... mas... construction is a standard way to express cause-and-effect relationships involving degree.

1. Basic Structure:
The pattern follows this template: [kung + mas + Adjective/Adverb 1] + [mas + Adjective/Adverb 2].
Example: Kung mas malaki, mas mahal. (The bigger [it is], the more expensive [it is]).

2. The 'Habang... Lalo...' Alternative:
A more traditional or progressive alternative to this pattern is using habang (while) paired with lalo (even more). This emphasizes that as one condition progresses, the result intensifies.
Example: Habang tumatagal, lalong humihirap. (The longer it takes, the more it becomes difficult).

3. Intensification:
To add emphasis to the result in the kung... mas... pattern, native speakers often add the word lalo to the second clause.
Example: Kung mas maaga, mas lalong mabuti. (The earlier, the even better).

4. Register and Usage:
This is a neutral to casual structure used frequently in daily life. In very formal writing, higit might be used instead of mas, but mas is the most common choice for learners to become proficient in.

5. Omission of 'Kung':
In very informal speech, the initial kung is sometimes dropped, leaving just Mas [adj], mas [adj]. However, for clear and correct grammar, keeping the kung is recommended.

Examples (4)

  1. Kung mas maaga tayong aalis, mas mabuti.

    The earlier we leave, the better.

    Word by Word: If more early we will-leave, more good.

    This shows a direct correlation between the time of departure and the quality of the outcome.

  2. Kung mas malapit ang opisina, mas madaling mag-commute.

    The closer the office is, the easier it is to commute.

    Word by Word: If more near the office, more easy to-commute.

    Here, 'mas malapit' (closer) is the condition, and 'mas madali' (easier) is the proportional result.

  3. Kung mas marami ang bibili, mas bababa ang presyo.

    The more people buy, the lower the price will be.

    Word by Word: If more many the will-buy, more will-go-down the price.

    This example uses a verb (bababa) in the second clause to show a proportional change in action/state.

  4. Kung mas matagal ang luto, mas lalong masarap ang pagkain.

    The longer the cooking time, the even more delicious the food is.

    Word by Word: If more long the cook, more even-more delicious the food.

    This demonstrates the use of 'lalo' as an intensifier in the second part of the comparison.

Common Mistakes

  • One 'mas' says something different from the proportional pattern.

    Different MeaningKung mas maaga, mabuti.
    Kung mas maaga, mas mabuti.

    'Kung mas maaga, mabuti' is a good sentence: 'If it is earlier, that is good.' For the proportional 'the earlier, the better', use 'mas' twice: 'Kung mas maaga, mas mabuti.'

  • Using 'kaysa' in a proportional comparison

    Kung mas maaga kaysa mas mabuti.
    Kung mas maaga, mas mabuti.

    The word 'kaysa' is used for comparing two specific things (X is better than Y). It does not belong in a 'the more... the more...' structure.

How It Connects

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

kung ... mas ...Level 3The More / if Then Comparison

Learn This First

To understand the 'kung... mas...' construction, you first need to know how to form basic comparisons using 'mas' and how to use 'kung' to introduce conditional clauses. This pattern essentially links two comparative statements to show how one change affects another.

Words in This Pattern