Learning Swedish can be both challenging and rewarding. One of the most intriguing aspects of Swedish grammar is the use of double comparatives. While English speakers might find this concept a bit unusual, double comparatives are a useful and expressive way to enhance your Swedish language skills. In this article, we’ll delve into what double comparatives are, how they function, and how you can use them effectively in your speech and writing.
Understanding Double Comparatives
In English, comparatives are used to compare two things, for instance, “bigger,” “smarter,” or “faster.” A double comparative, as the name suggests, involves using two comparative forms within a single expression. Swedish, like many other languages, employs double comparatives to add emphasis or convey a higher degree of comparison.
Basic Comparatives in Swedish
Before diving into double comparatives, let’s review the basics of forming comparatives in Swedish. Comparatives in Swedish are generally formed by adding the suffix “-are” to the adjective. For example:
– stor (big) becomes större (bigger)
– snabb (fast) becomes snabbare (faster)
– vacker (beautiful) becomes vackrare (more beautiful)
To form the superlative, which compares more than two things, you add the suffix “-ast” or “-st”:
– stor (big) becomes störst (biggest)
– snabb (fast) becomes snabbast (fastest)
– vacker (beautiful) becomes vackrast (most beautiful)
Formation of Double Comparatives
Double comparatives in Swedish involve using two comparative forms to express a progression or intensification. This is often done using the structure “ju… desto…,” which can be translated to “the… the…” in English. This structure is similar to expressions like “the more, the merrier” in English.
Here’s the basic structure:
– Ju + comparative form + subject + verb, desto + comparative form + subject + verb.
For example:
– Ju större huset är, desto dyrare blir det.
– (The bigger the house, the more expensive it becomes.)
– Ju mer du studerar, desto bättre blir du.
– (The more you study, the better you become.)
Examples and Usage
To better understand how double comparatives work, let’s look at some more examples:
– Ju tidigare du börjar, desto snabbare blir du klar.
– (The earlier you start, the faster you finish.)
– Ju mindre tid vi har, desto effektivare måste vi arbeta.
– (The less time we have, the more efficiently we must work.)
– Ju högre vi klättrar, desto bättre utsikt får vi.
– (The higher we climb, the better the view we get.)
In each of these examples, the double comparative structure emphasizes the relationship between two variables, offering a nuanced and precise way of expressing increasing degrees of comparison.
Importance and Benefits of Using Double Comparatives
Using double comparatives in Swedish allows speakers to communicate more precisely and express complex relationships between actions, qualities, or quantities. Here are some key benefits:
Emphasis and Clarity
Double comparatives help to emphasize the relationship between two changing conditions, making your statements clearer and more impactful. For instance, saying “Ju längre du väntar, desto svårare blir det” (The longer you wait, the harder it gets) vividly conveys the increasing difficulty associated with waiting.
Expressiveness
Swedish double comparatives add expressiveness to your language. They enable you to convey not just a comparison, but a dynamic, ongoing relationship between two factors. This can make your speech and writing more engaging and persuasive.
Precision
Double comparatives offer a precise way to describe how one variable affects another. This is particularly useful in academic writing, professional communication, or any context where clarity and detail are essential.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
While double comparatives are a valuable tool in Swedish, they can be tricky to master. Here are some common mistakes and tips on how to avoid them:
Misplacing “Ju” and “Desto”
A common mistake is misplacing “ju” and “desto.” Remember that “ju” introduces the first comparative clause, and “desto” introduces the second.
Incorrect: Desto mer du tränar, ju starkare blir du.
Correct: Ju mer du tränar, desto starkare blir du.
Incorrect Comparative Form
Ensure that you are using the correct comparative form of the adjectives. This usually involves adding “-are” to the adjective.
Incorrect: Ju snabb du springer, desto stark blir du.
Correct: Ju snabbare du springer, desto starkare blir du.
Verb Placement
In Swedish, the verb typically comes after the subject in both clauses of the double comparative structure.
Incorrect: Ju mer du studerar, desto du blir bättre.
Correct: Ju mer du studerar, desto bättre blir du.
Practice Exercises
To help you master double comparatives in Swedish, here are some practice exercises. Try to complete these sentences using the correct double comparative structure.
1. Ju mer du övar, desto __________ du blir. (skicklig)
2. Ju längre vi stannar, desto __________ vi blir. (trött)
3. Ju svårare uppgiften är, desto __________ vi måste arbeta. (hårt)
4. Ju mer du läser, desto __________ blir du. (intelligent)
5. Ju högre du sätter målen, desto __________ du blir. (motiverad)
Answers:
1. Ju mer du övar, desto skickligare du blir.
2. Ju längre vi stannar, desto tröttare vi blir.
3. Ju svårare uppgiften är, desto hårdare vi måste arbeta.
4. Ju mer du läser, desto intelligentare blir du.
5. Ju högre du sätter målen, desto mer motiverad blir du.
Advanced Usage and Nuances
While the “ju… desto…” structure is the most common form of double comparatives, there are other nuanced ways to use double comparatives in Swedish. These advanced structures can provide even greater expressiveness and precision.
Double Comparatives with Adverbs
Just like adjectives, adverbs can also form double comparatives. For example:
– Ju tidigare vi kommer, desto snabbare kan vi börja.
– (The earlier we arrive, the sooner we can start.)
– Ju oftare du tränar, desto bättre blir dina resultat.
– (The more often you train, the better your results become.)
Double Comparatives with Clauses
Sometimes, you may need to use entire clauses in double comparatives. In these cases, ensure that the structure remains clear and logical.
– Ju mer vi lär oss om universum, desto mer inser vi hur lite vi vet.
– (The more we learn about the universe, the more we realize how little we know.)
– Ju längre vi diskuterar problemet, desto tydligare blir lösningen.
– (The longer we discuss the problem, the clearer the solution becomes.)
Conclusion
Mastering double comparatives in Swedish can significantly enhance your ability to communicate effectively and expressively. By understanding the structure, practicing regularly, and being mindful of common mistakes, you can make these powerful grammatical tools a natural part of your Swedish language skills. Whether you are aiming to write more persuasively, speak more clearly, or simply add nuance to your everyday conversations, double comparatives offer a valuable way to enrich your Swedish.
Happy learning, and remember: Ju mer du övar, desto bättre blir du!
