〜ば〜ほど: the more… the more is a JLPT N3 grammar point. As one thing increases, so does another. Structure: [Verbe-ば] + [Verbe (neutre)] + ほど. This page explains the construction, gives Japanese examples with furigana readings, and links to related grammar points at this level.

〜ば〜ほど: the more… the more

Structure

[Verbe-ば] + [Verbe (neutre)] + ほど

Explanation

Repeat the verb, once in the ば-conditional, once plain, then add ほど to mean “the more X, the more Y”. With な-adjectives use なら…なほど; with い-adjectives, ければ…いほど.

Examples

The more you practise, the better you get.

The more I think, the less I understand.

Quiz preview

  • ほど ✓
  • だけ
  • まで
  • ぐらい

~ば~ほど means “the more… the more”: the more you practise, the better you get.

  • ば ✓
  • たら
  • ても

〜ば〜ほど: repeat the verb (conditional ば + dictionary form + ほど) (“the more you know it, the more interesting it gets”).

More N3 grammar points

〜はず: should / be expected to〜ところ: about to / in the middle of / just didCausative: make / let someone do〜のに: although / even though〜ようになる: change of state〜らしい: hearsay / typicalityPassive: to be done to〜ことになる/ことにする: decisions〜おかげで/〜せいで: thanks to / because of〜として: as / in the role of〜うちに: while / before it changes

See all N3 points →