Learning a new language can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. One of the fascinating aspects of mastering a language like Bosnian is understanding its grammatical structures, including the use of double comparatives. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of sentences with double comparatives in Bosnian grammar. This will not only help you understand how to construct these sentences but also enhance your overall grasp of the language.
Understanding Comparatives in Bosnian
Before we dive into double comparatives, it’s essential to understand the basics of comparatives in Bosnian. Comparatives are used to compare two entities. In Bosnian, comparatives are usually formed by adding the suffix “-iji” (for masculine), “-ija” (for feminine), or “-ije” (for neuter) to the adjective. For instance:
– “brz” (fast) becomes “brži” (faster)
– “lijepa” (beautiful) becomes “ljepša” (more beautiful)
– “dobro” (good) becomes “bolje” (better)
What Are Double Comparatives?
Double comparatives are sentences where two comparative forms are used to show a relationship of increase or decrease between two variables. Essentially, these sentences illustrate that as one thing changes, another thing changes in correlation with it. In English, an example would be: “The more you study, the better your grades will be.”
In Bosnian, double comparatives are formed using a similar structure. The formula generally follows this pattern:
– “Što” (the) + comparative adjective + verb, “to” (the) + comparative adjective + verb.
Examples of Double Comparatives in Bosnian
Let’s look at some examples to better understand how double comparatives work in Bosnian.
1. **The more you study, the better your grades will be.**
– “Što više učiš, to će ti ocjene biti bolje.”
2. **The faster you run, the sooner you will arrive.**
– “Što brže trčiš, to ćeš prije stići.”
3. **The more you eat, the fuller you will feel.**
– “Što više jedeš, to ćeš se više osjećati sitim.”
In these examples, the structure “što” + comparative adjective is used to set up the first part of the comparison, followed by “to” + comparative adjective to complete the relationship.
Breaking Down the Structure
To gain a deeper understanding, let’s break down a couple of these examples.
Example 1: “Što više učiš, to će ti ocjene biti bolje.”
– “Što” (the)
– “više” (more)
– “učiš” (you study)
– “to” (the)
– “će” (will)
– “ti” (your)
– “ocjene” (grades)
– “biti” (be)
– “bolje” (better)
In this sentence, “Što više učiš” establishes the first variable (the amount of studying), and “to će ti ocjene biti bolje” establishes the correlated outcome (better grades).
Example 2: “Što brže trčiš, to ćeš prije stići.”
– “Što” (the)
– “brže” (faster)
– “trčiš” (you run)
– “to” (the)
– “ćeš” (you will)
– “prije” (sooner)
– “stići” (arrive)
Here, “Što brže trčiš” sets up the first variable (the speed of running), and “to ćeš prije stići” indicates the correlated outcome (sooner arrival).
Usage in Everyday Conversations
Double comparatives are not just grammatical constructs but are also commonly used in everyday conversations. Here are a few more practical examples:
1. **The more you talk, the less you listen.**
– “Što više pričaš, to manje slušaš.”
2. **The harder you work, the more you achieve.**
– “Što više radiš, to više postižeš.”
3. **The less you worry, the happier you will be.**
– “Što se manje brineš, to ćeš biti sretniji.”
In each of these examples, the double comparative structure helps convey a cause-and-effect relationship between two actions or states.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When forming double comparatives in Bosnian, learners often make some common mistakes. Here are a few tips to avoid these pitfalls:
1. **Incorrect Use of “Što” and “To”:**
Ensure that “što” introduces the first comparative clause and “to” introduces the second. Mixing them up can lead to confusion.
2. **Incorrect Comparative Form:**
Make sure to use the correct comparative form of the adjective. For example, “brži” (faster) instead of “brz” (fast).
3. **Verb Agreement:**
Ensure that the verb agrees with the subject in both parts of the sentence. For example, “učiš” (you study) and “ćeš” (you will) should both agree with the second person singular.
4. **Avoid Redundancy:**
Double comparatives inherently compare two variables. Adding extra words or phrases can make the sentence redundant and confusing.
Practice Exercises
To help you get a better grasp of double comparatives in Bosnian, here are some practice exercises. Try to translate the following sentences into Bosnian using the double comparative structure.
1. The more you read, the more you learn.
2. The less you sleep, the more tired you will be.
3. The more you practice, the better you will become.
4. The more you save, the richer you will be.
5. The more you travel, the broader your perspective will be.
Answers:
1. Što više čitaš, to više učiš.
2. Što manje spavaš, to ćeš biti umorniji.
3. Što više vježbaš, to ćeš postati bolji.
4. Što više štediš, to ćeš biti bogatiji.
5. Što više putuješ, to će tvoj pogled biti širi.
Advanced Usage
For advanced learners, double comparatives can be used in more complex sentences and scenarios. They can also be combined with other grammatical structures to add depth and nuance to your Bosnian language skills.
Example: Using Double Comparatives with Conditionals
1. **If you want to succeed, the more you work, the more you will achieve.**
– “Ako želiš uspjeti, što više radiš, to više postižeš.”
2. **If you want to lose weight, the less you eat, the more weight you will lose.**
– “Ako želiš smršati, što manje jedeš, to ćeš više kilograma izgubiti.”
In these examples, the conditional “ako” (if) is used to introduce the condition under which the double comparative applies.
Example: Double Comparatives with Negatives
1. **The less you complain, the better your mood will be.**
– “Što manje se žališ, to će tvoje raspoloženje biti bolje.”
2. **The less you argue, the more peaceful it will be.**
– “Što manje raspravljaš, to će biti mirnije.”
In these sentences, the negative form “manje” (less) is used to create a double comparative with a negative connotation.
Conclusion
Mastering double comparatives in Bosnian grammar can significantly enhance your ability to express complex relationships and correlations between actions and states. By understanding the structure, practicing with examples, and being aware of common mistakes, you can confidently use double comparatives in your conversations and writing.
Remember, language learning is a journey. The more you immerse yourself in the language, the more proficient you will become. So, keep practicing, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Every error is an opportunity to learn and grow. Sretno! (Good luck!)
