по мере + Genitive
As Something Develops
The compound preposition по мере + Genitive case describes a proportional relationship between two actions. As one process advances, the other changes accordingly.
How It Works
1. Grammatical Structure
The expression consists of the preposition по and the noun мера in the dative case, but together they function as a single unit that governs the Genitive case. It is most frequently paired with nouns denoting growth, movement, or accumulation.
2. The Conjunction Form
To connect two full clauses (subject + verb), the phrase expands into the complex conjunction по мере того как. Note that того is a mandatory component and cannot be omitted. If the subordinate clause starts the sentence, no comma is used at the beginning; the comma only appears at the end of the subordinate clause to separate it from the main clause. The conjunction is typically not split by a comma (e.g., по мере того как...) unless there is a specific logical emphasis or a modifying particle. Splitting the conjunction (по мере того, как) places logical emphasis on the first part (по мере того) in the main clause. This split is typically triggered by a preceding negative particle (не), a restrictive or amplifying particle (like только or лишь), or an introductory word.
Learner Trap: Preposition vs. Conjunction
English speakers often mistakenly use the preposition по мере directly with a conjugated verb (e.g., ❌ По мере я читаю...). If you have a subject and a conjugated verb, you must use the full conjunction по мере того как or convert the verb into a verbal noun.
3. Usage and Register
This pattern is characteristic of formal, academic, and journalistic Russian (книжный стиль). In casual speech, Russians often prefer using когда (when), чем..., тем..., or пока. Unlike как только, which refers to a single moment, по мере emphasizes a gradual, proportional process.
4. Key Constraints
- Process or Abstract Noun Requirement: The noun following по мере must be a verbal noun denoting a process/action OR an abstract noun denoting capacity or need (e.g., сила, возможность, необходимость). You cannot use it with concrete physical objects.
- Case: Even though по often takes the dative, this specific compound preposition must be followed by the Genitive.
- Proportionality and Tense: The pattern implies proportionality (as A changes, B changes at a similar rate). Because it describes an ongoing parallel process, verbs in both clauses usually share the same tense. Furthermore, the imperfective aspect is practically a strict requirement for the verb following the conjunction, as perfective verbs logically clash with the continuous, gradual nature of the expression.
5. Fixed Expressions and Logic
Beyond temporal use, this pattern appears in high-frequency fixed expressions like по мере сил (as much as one's strength allows), по мере возможности (as far as possible), по мере необходимости (as necessary), and по мере поступления (as they arrive/come in). It is important to note that these set phrases are exceptions to the core meaning: they mean 'according to the limit or extent of' and do not imply the proportional 'As A changes, B changes' rule. Note that possessive pronouns are frequently inserted between мере and the noun (e.g., по мере своих сил, по мере их поступления). Finally, be careful not to confuse this with по крайней мере (at least), which is a fixed adverbial phrase and does not govern the genitive case.
Examples (5)
- По мере приближения к городу движение становилось всё более интенсивным.
As we approached the city, the traffic became increasingly heavy.
Word by Word: In measure of approach to city movement became all more intensive.
Here, the increase in traffic is directly proportional to the progress of the approach to the city.
- Мы будем решать проблемы по мере их поступления.
We will solve problems as they arise.
Word by Word: We will solve problems in measure of their arrival.
A highly common idiom meaning to deal with issues one by one as they come, rather than worrying about them in advance. Notice the insertion of the possessive pronoun 'их'.
- По мере накопления данных гипотеза будет уточняться.
As data accumulates, the hypothesis will be refined.
Word by Word: In measure of accumulation of data hypothesis will be refined.
This demonstrates the formal/scientific register, linking the refinement process to the accumulation process.
- Я постараюсь помогать вам в этом проекте по мере сил.
I will try to help you with this project to the best of my ability.
Word by Word: I will try to help you in this project in measure of strengths.
This example demonstrates the use of an abstract noun denoting capacity ('силы') in a fixed expression, rather than a verbal noun denoting a process.
- По мере того как цены растут, покупательная способность населения падает.
As prices grow, the purchasing power of the population falls.
Word by Word: In measure of that how prices grow, purchasing power of population falls.
This example uses the conjunction form 'по мере того как' to connect two full clauses.
Common Mistakes
Using the Dative case instead of the Genitive.
по мере приближению к лесупо мере приближения к лесуLearners often see the 'по' and assume the Dative case is required. However, the compound preposition 'по мере' strictly requires the Genitive.
Using a static noun instead of a process noun.
по мере книгипо мере чтения книгиThe noun must represent a process with a 'measure' of progress. You cannot say 'as the book'; you must say 'as the reading of the book' progresses.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn 'по мере + родительный', a learner needs to understand how verbal nouns function as processes and how the genitive case identifies the subject of that process. Additionally, a grasp of the imperfective aspect is necessary to understand the simultaneous, gradual nature of the linked actions.
- Genitive subject with verbal nouns
Understanding how the genitive case functions as the subject of a verbal noun is essential for interpreting phrases like 'по мере роста цен' (as prices rise).
Level 4 - Imperfective aspect for ongoing action
Since 'по мере' describes a gradual, ongoing development, the learner must understand the concept of imperfective process to grasp the temporal relationship between the two actions.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- -ние/-ение/-тиеVerbal Nouns in -ние, -ение, And -тие
These verbal nouns are the most common partners for 'по мере' to describe processes.
Level 4 - Genitive of possession or association
The Genitive case is required after the preposition 'по мере'.
Level 2 - пока / как толькоTemporal Subordination
These are less formal ways to express temporal relationships between actions.
Level 3 - при + Prepositional Verbal NounПри with Verbal Nouns for Accompanying Circumstance
Another way to link an action to a process, though 'при' indicates circumstance rather than proportional development.
Level 4 - более/менее + AdjectiveAnalytic Comparative with Более and Менее
Often used in the main clause to show how something becomes 'more' or 'less' as the process develops.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice по мере + Genitive in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Russian lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
