je...desto

The More...The More

Level 3

Use je + comparative followed by desto + comparative to show how one change causes another. For example: 'The more I sleep, the better I feel.'

How It Works

The je...desto construction is the standard way to express proportionality in German. It consists of two parts:

1. The Je-Clause (Subordinate):
This part sets the condition. It starts with je, followed immediately by a comparative adjective or adverb. Because it is a subordinate clause, the conjugated verb must go to the very end.
Example: Je kälter es ist, ... (The colder it is...)

2. The Desto-Clause (Main):
This part shows the result. It starts with desto (or its synonym umso), followed immediately by another comparative. Crucially, the unit [desto + comparative] acts as 'Position 1' in the sentence. Therefore, the conjugated verb must come next (Position 2), followed by the subject.
Example: ... desto mehr heizen wir. (... the more we heat.)

Elliptical Constructions:
In short, idiomatic expressions, both the verb and the subject can be omitted if the meaning is clear. This is very common in spoken German.
Example: Je früher, desto besser. (The earlier, the better.)

Key Rules:

  • A comma is always required between the two clauses.
  • Desto and umso are interchangeable; je...umso is just as common and correct as je...desto.
  • If the comparative modifies a noun, the noun stays attached to the comparative: Je mehr Zeit ich habe...

Examples (4)

  1. Je mehr ich lerne, desto besser verstehe ich die Grammatik.

    The more I study, the better I understand the grammar.

    Word by Word: The more I study, the better understand I the grammar.

    Note the verb 'lerne' at the end of the first clause and 'verstehe' in the second position of the second clause.

  2. Je früher wir am Bahnhof sind, umso entspannter können wir einsteigen.

    The earlier we are at the station, the more relaxed we can board.

    Word by Word: The earlier we at the station are, the more relaxed can we board.

    This example uses 'umso' instead of 'desto', which is perfectly correct and common.

  3. Je kälter das Wetter wird, desto dicker muss die Jacke sein.

    The colder the weather gets, the thicker the jacket must be.

    Word by Word: The colder the weather becomes, the thicker must the jacket be.

    When using modal verbs like 'muss', the same word order rules apply: 'wird' at the end, 'muss' in second position.

  4. Je weniger Zucker du isst, desto gesünder lebst du.

    The less sugar you eat, the healthier you live.

    Word by Word: The less sugar you eat, the healthier live you.

    Here, the comparative 'weniger' is followed by the noun 'Zucker' before the subject 'du' appears.

Common Mistakes

  • Using standard main clause word order in the 'desto' clause.

    Je mehr ich esse, desto ich dicker werde.
    Je mehr ich esse, desto dicker werde ich.

    In the second clause, the verb must come immediately after the [desto + comparative] block. Putting the subject 'ich' before the verb 'werde' is a common error.

  • Forgetting the comparative form of the adjective.

    Je viel ich arbeite, desto müde bin ich.
    Je mehr ich arbeite, desto müder bin ich.

    You must use the comparative forms (mehr, müder) rather than the base forms (viel, müde).

  • Using 'desto' in both parts of the sentence.

    Desto schneller du rennst, desto eher kommst du an.
    Je schneller du rennst, desto eher kommst du an.

    The first clause must always start with 'je'. While 'desto' and 'umso' are interchangeable in the second part, 'je' is mandatory for the first part.

How It Connects

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

je...destoLevel 3The More...The More

Learn This First

To learn 'je...desto', you must first understand how to form comparative adjectives. Additionally, you need to be comfortable with two different word order rules: the 'je' clause follows subordinate (verb-final) order, while the 'desto' clause follows main clause inversion (verb-second) because the 'desto' phrase occupies the first position.

Words in This Pattern