immer + Comparative

Progressive Change (Immer + Comparative)

Level 2

The construction immer + comparative is used to express that something is changing progressively over time. It translates to English phrases like 'more and more' or '[adjective]-er and [adjective]-er'.

How It Works

This pattern is the standard way to describe a trend or a development. It is used in all registers, from casual speech to formal writing.

1. Formation:
Simply take the comparative form of an adjective (usually ending in -er) and put immer in front of it.

  • schnell (fast) → schneller (faster) → immer schneller (faster and faster)
  • teuer (expensive) → teurer (more expensive) → immer teurer (more and more expensive)

2. Usage with Verbs:
It is most commonly paired with the verb werden (to become/get), but it can also be used with verbs of motion or state like laufen (to run) or sein (to be).

3. Adjective Endings:
If the 'immer + comparative' phrase comes directly before a noun, the adjective still needs its usual adjective endings.
Example: ein immer größeres Problem (an increasingly larger problem).

4. Spelling Rules:
Remember that irregular comparatives and those with umlauts (like alt → älter) must keep those forms when used with immer.

Examples (5)

  1. Das Benzin wird immer teurer.

    Petrol is getting more and more expensive.

    Word by Word: The petrol becomes always more-expensive.

    Here, 'immer teurer' shows a continuous upward trend in price.

  2. Die Tage werden im Winter immer kürzer.

    The days are getting shorter and shorter in winter.

    Word by Word: The days become in winter always shorter.

    Note that 'kürzer' is the comparative of 'kurz' and takes an umlaut.

  3. Er spricht immer besser Deutsch.

    He is speaking German better and better.

    Word by Word: He speaks always better German.

    This uses the irregular comparative 'besser' (from 'gut') to show progress.

  4. Die Läuferin wurde immer schneller.

    The runner got faster and faster.

    Word by Word: The runner became always faster.

    This describes a progression of speed during a race.

  5. Es wird immer kälter draußen.

    It is getting colder and colder outside.

    Word by Word: It becomes always colder outside.

    A common way to describe changing weather conditions.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'immer mehr' as a translation for 'more and more' with other adjectives.

    Das Buch wird immer mehr interessant.
    Das Buch wird immer interessanter.

    In German, you must use the comparative form of the specific adjective (interessanter). 'Mehr' is only used if you are actually talking about 'more' of a quantity (viel → mehr).

  • Repeating the adjective twice like in English.

    Es wird kälter und kälter.
    Es wird immer kälter.

    While 'kälter und kälter' is occasionally used for poetic effect, 'immer kälter' is the natural and standard way to express this in German.

  • Forgetting the umlaut in the comparative form.

    Die Stadt wird immer alter.
    Die Stadt wird immer älter.

    Many short adjectives like 'alt', 'jung', or 'kalt' require an umlaut in their comparative form.

How It Connects

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

immer + ComparativeLevel 2Progressive Change (Immer + Comparative)

Learn This First

To use 'immer' with a comparative to show progressive change, you first need to know how to form the comparative of German adjectives. You also need to be familiar with the adverb 'immer' and how adjectives are used in the predicate position of a sentence.

Words in This Pattern