plus...plus
The More...the More with Plus...plus
The plus...plus structure is a correlative pattern used to show how two things change together. It translates to 'the more... the more' in English.
How It Works
This pattern functions as a correlative adverbial, meaning the two parts of the sentence are dependent on each other.
1. Word Order
In standard modern French, the sentence maintains SVO order. This means the adjective or adverb usually stays after the verb: Plus il est vieux... (The older he is...). While placing the adjective immediately after plus is possible in formal literature, it is rare in speech.
2. No Articles
English speakers often try to translate 'The more...' literally as 'Le plus...'. In French, never use the definite article (le, la, les) in this specific correlative structure.
3. Usage with Different Parts of Speech
- Verbs: Plus je travaille, plus je gagne. (The more I work, the more I earn.)
- Nouns: You must use the preposition de. Plus il a de temps... (The more time he has...).
- Irregulars: Use mieux for 'the better' (adverb) and meilleur for 'the better' (adjective).
4. Adding 'Et' for Rhythm
In natural, spoken French, it is very common to insert the conjunction et (and) before the second part of the correlation: Plus je lis, et plus j'apprends. This helps the flow of the sentence.
5. Mixed and Negative Correlations
You can mix plus and moins to show inverse relationships (e.g., Plus je cours, moins je suis fatigué). The word moins...moins (the less... the less) follows the exact same rules as plus...plus.
Examples (6)
- Plus on étudie, plus on apprend.
The more one studies, the more one learns.
Word by Word: More one studies, more one learns.
This shows a direct correlation between the action of studying and the result of learning.
- Plus la tempête est forte, et plus les vagues sont hautes.
The stronger the storm, the higher the waves.
Word by Word: More the storm is strong, and more the waves are high.
In natural speech, the conjunction 'et' is often added before the second clause for rhythm.
- Plus il y a de monde, plus il y a de bruit.
The more people there are, the more noise there is.
Word by Word: More there is of world, more there is of noise.
When using nouns (monde, bruit), the preposition 'de' is mandatory after 'plus'.
- Plus je mange, moins j'ai faim.
The more I eat, the less hungry I am.
Word by Word: More I eat, less I have hunger.
You can mix 'plus' and 'moins' to show an inverse relationship between two actions.
- Moins je dors, moins je suis efficace.
The less I sleep, the less efficient I am.
Word by Word: Less I sleep, less I am efficient.
The word moins...moins follows the exact same correlative rules as 'plus'.
- Plus on s'entraîne, meilleur on devient.
The more we practice, the better we become.
Word by Word: More one oneself trains, better one becomes.
When comparing quality, use the irregular comparative meilleur instead of 'plus bon'.
Common Mistakes
Adding 'le' or 'la' before 'plus' or 'moins'.
Le plus je lis, le plus j'apprends.Plus je lis, plus j'apprends.Unlike English ('The more...'), French does not use a definite article like le in this correlative structure.
Adding 'que' between the two clauses.
Plus je lis que plus j'apprends.Plus je lis, plus j'apprends.Unlike the simple comparative plus...que, the correlative pattern uses a comma, not 'que', to link the clauses.
Using 'plus bien' or 'plus bon' instead of irregular forms.
Plus on étudie, plus bien on parle.Plus on étudie, mieux on parle.You must use mieux (better - adverb) or meilleur (better - adjective) in this construction.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn the 'plus...plus' correlative, learners first need to understand the basic comparative 'plus' (more). They must also be comfortable with standard sentence structure and basic verb conjugation, as this pattern links two clauses to show a proportional relationship between two actions or states.
- plus...queComparative of Superiority
The correlative 'plus...plus' is an extension of the basic comparative 'plus', which introduces the concept of superiority and increasing quantity or quality.
Level 1 - Regular -er verb conjugation
To use the 'plus...plus' construction effectively (e.g., 'Plus je travaille...'), the learner must be able to conjugate basic verbs to express the actions being compared.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- moins...moinsThe Less...the Less with Moins...moins
This is the opposite pattern, meaning 'the less... the less', following the exact same grammatical rules.
Level 4 - d'autant plus queAll the More So Because with D'autant Plus Que
Often confused with the correlative, this expression means 'all the more so because' and provides a reason rather than a proportion.
Level 4 - plus de / moins de / autant de + NounComparing Quantities of Nouns
This explains the requirement for 'de' when comparing quantities of nouns, which also applies to the 'plus...plus' pattern.
Level 2 - Linking a silent consonant to the next vowel
Understanding liaison is key to pronouncing 'plus' correctly when it precedes a vowel in this pattern.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice plus...plus in Bubblegum
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