jo ... jo

The More ... the More

Level 4

Jo ..., jo works like English the ..., the ...: Jo vairāk, jo labāk (The more, the better). Each jo is followed by a comparative such as vairāk or labāk.

How It Works

1. Two changes together. As one thing grows or shrinks, so does the other:

  • Jo tālāk mēs braucām, jo skaistāka kļuva daba. (The farther we drove, the more beautiful the scenery became.)
  • Jo vecāks es kļūstu, jo mazāk es guļu. (The older I get, the less I sleep.)

2. A comparative after each jo. Use a comparative: an adverb like vairāk, mazāk, ātrāk, labāk, or an adjective like skaistāka, vecāks. An adjective still agrees with its noun: skaistāka daba.

3. Short forms. The verbs can be left out: Jo vairāk, jo labāk. Jo ātrāk, jo labāk.

4. Order and comma. The first jo part comes first. A comma separates it from the second part.

Not because. A single jo after a comma means because. In jo ..., jo, the comparative right after each jo shows the other meaning.

Examples (5)

  1. Jo vairāk, jo labāk.

    The more, the better.

  2. Jo ātrāk, jo labāk.

    The sooner, the better.

    Word by Word: The faster, the better.

  3. Jo vairāk tu lasi, jo vairāk tu zini.

    The more you read, the more you know.

  4. Jo tālāk mēs braucām, jo skaistāka kļuva daba.

    The farther we drove, the more beautiful the scenery became.

    Word by Word: The farther we drove, the more-beautiful became nature.

    Skaistāka is feminine to agree with daba.

  5. Jo vecāks es kļūstu, jo mazāk es guļu.

    The older I get, the less I sleep.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the plain form instead of the comparative.

    Jo daudz tu lasi, jo labi tu runā.
    Jo vairāk tu lasi, jo labāk tu runā.

    Each jo needs a comparative: vairāk (more), labāk (better), not daudz or labi.

  • Dropping the second jo.

    Jo vairāk tu lasi, tu vairāk zini.
    Jo vairāk tu lasi, jo vairāk tu zini.

    The pattern needs jo in both parts. The second jo starts the main clause.

  • Leaving out the comma.

    Jo vairāk jo labāk.
    Jo vairāk, jo labāk.

    A comma always separates the two jo parts, even in the short form.

How It Connects

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

jo ... joLevel 4The More ... the More

Learn This First

Jo ... jo compares two changes.

Words in This Pattern