Is "The more the better" a sentence or phrase?

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hi teachers,

“The more the better”

1/ Could you please tell me the function of the phrase “the more” in the above comparison?

2/ Is “The more the better” a sentence or phrase?

3/ Can I say “The more is the better”?

Thanks in advance

jupiter

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2

Hi,

There is no need to include ‘is’ in this construction/phrase. Other examples:

The bigger the better/The faster the better. You can also use the same construction with verbs as in:

The more you read, the better your vocabulary becomes.

A

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Hi Jupiter

That’s a standard construction for comparatives: the … the …

Each ‘the’ is followed by a comparative. The example you gave is the simplest formation and would refer back to something previously said, so many of the words are simply understood. For example, if someone had offered you a piece of cake and wanted to know whether you wanted a big piece or a small piece, you might answer “The bigger (the piece of cake is) the better (I will like it).”

As Alan mentioned, you will also find more complex the… the… sentences:

The longer you wait, the worse it will get.
The more fruit you eat, the healthier you will be.
The less time you waste, the better off you will be.

Amy

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Hi teachers,

Thanks a lot for your explanation. It did help me very much.

Please see below:

“The more you read, the better your vocabulary becomes”

1/ What is the function of “the more” in the above sentence?
Is it an adverb?

“Of all my relative, I love my uncle the best.”

2/ Does “the best” function as an adverb?

3/ Can I say “Of all my relative, I love my uncle the most”

Thanks in advance

Jupiter

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5

Hi teacher,

I’m waiting for your response

Thanks in advance

Jupiter

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6

Hi Jupiter

Adverb: Yes, yes and yes. :smiley:

And your sentence needs an ‘s’:
“Of all my relatives, I love my uncle the most.”

Amy

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7

…Sentence: “We supply the better air conditions” like a slogan…

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“We supply the better air conditions”… Can I use it…?!

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Do you mean “air conditioners”?

Traditional grammar books indicate that when two entities are compared, only the comparative form (-er or more) can be used. However, in informal spoken contexts the comparative and the superlative form are both used, with a general preference for the superlative:

Both brothers are very bright but Paul is the brightest.
(or, more formal: Both brothers are very bright but Paul is the brighter.)

How many air conditioning suppliers are there in you context here and is your message meant to be formal or informal?

"We supply the better air conditions (conditioners)

"How many supplier are there?

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hmm…I change my conception…
Now I use : “We supply the best conditions”… is that appropriate slogan from the English grammar point of view…?!

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