The rule, as people use it
When something keeps changing in one direction, English says the comparative twice with "and" in the middle. The line gets longer and longer. Prices are getting higher and higher. The repetition is the point: it sounds like time passing, one step after another.
Short adjectives take -er both times: colder and colder, busier and busier. Long adjectives can't do that, so you repeat "more" instead and say the adjective once at the end: more and more expensive, more and more confusing. Never say "more expensive and more expensive"; it sounds like two separate things.
You'll hear it mostly with verbs of change: get, become, grow, keep. It also works without an adjective at all. "More and more people work from home" and "I see him less and less" say the same thing about numbers and habits.
Examples
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Fill the gap
Type the missing words, then check. The full sentence plays when you get it.
- 1
The traffic is getting (bad) the closer we get to downtown.
- 2
Phones keep getting (thin) with every new model.
- 3
The show became (popular) after its second season.
- 4
The baby is growing (big) every week.
- 5
I'm getting (tired) of this rainy weather.
- 6
It got (dark) as we drove into the mountains.
- 7
Sofia has been calling (often) since her mom got sick.
- 8
My old laptop runs (slow) every time it updates.
Practice · 3 min
Think of five things in your life that are changing right now. Write one sentence for each using the double comparative, then read them out loud.
- My city is getting ___ and ___ .
- My job is becoming more and more ___ .
- Food prices are getting ___ and ___ .
- My English is getting ___ and ___ .
- I see ___ less and less these days.
Say it today
Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.