Ch 3 · Lesson 21Esperanto · Chapter 3 · Lesson 21 · Grammar primer
Ju pli ... des pli, and -n after ol
The more I read, the more I understand: , . And is not the same as .
The short version
The more, the more: ...
, .
Why?Hide
English the more ..., the more ... is ..., ... in Esperanto. exists only for this pattern, and turns up on its own in , all the better. Any pair of and works: ..., ... is the less ..., the more.
One -n after
.
Why?Hide
What follows takes the case it would have in the full sentence. means he loves me more than you love me; means he loves me more than he loves you. English he loves me more than you is ambiguous for ever. Esperanto settles it with one letter.
ju pli ... des pli
The more ..., the more ... is ..., .... exists only for this; also turns up in , all the better.
, .- The more I learn, the more I understand., .- The longer the road, the more tired the horse.
Any pair works: ..., ... is the less ..., the more ....
-n after ol
What follows takes the case it would have in the full sentence. That settles an ambiguity English cannot:
.- He loves me more than you (love me)..- He loves me more than (he loves) you.
is a subject, so it is the other lover; is an object, so it is the other one loved. English he loves me more than you is permanently ambiguous; Esperanto settles it in one letter.
Mistakes English speakers make
| Wrong | Right | Why |
|---|---|---|
| | |
| | |
| | the group takes |
| | meaning very: |
| | |
Going further: pli and plej and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
Practice
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One question at a time, mixed across the exercises in this lesson. Miss one and it comes back round before the end.
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