〜ば〜ほど
Expresses proportional correlation: 'the more X, the more (or less) Y'. As the degree of the first condition increases, the result changes accordingly.
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Used in both speech and writing to say that one thing changes in proportion to another. The second clause often describes a change, frequently with 〜なる. Compared with につれて, にしたがって and に伴って, it repeats the same word in both slots and emphasizes degree rather than gradual change over time.
Learners sometimes use different words in the two slots; the same verb or adjective must be repeated.
Do not attach ば directly to a な形容詞語幹; use なら or であれば instead.
Note that いい becomes よければよいほど (or よければいいほど), not いければ.
- につれてN3「につれて」 attaches to the dictionary form of verbs or nouns of change, with no repetition of the same word. It focuses on gradual change—both parts must be gradual—and the second part cannot express volition or commands; 「〜ば〜ほど」 emphasizes proportionality of degree.
- にしたがってN3「にしたがって」 resembles this pattern only in its 'as/along with' sense: it takes verb dictionary forms or nouns, does not repeat the same word, and stresses gradual change, while 「〜ば〜ほど」 requires repeating the same word. Note that 「にしたがって」 also means 'in accordance with/following'.
- に伴ってN2「に伴って」 takes nouns or verbs and needs no repetition of the same word; it is rather formal. Besides indicating change along with the first item, it can mean one situation arising alongside another event (e.g., 移転に伴い)—a use that cannot be replaced with 「〜ば〜ほど」.
- ほどN3Used alone, 「ほど」 expresses degree (死ぬほど疲れた) or approximate quantity ('about'), with no 'the more... the more...' meaning, so the two are not interchangeable. When ば is omitted, this pattern looks like 考えるほど, but the following clause must change accordingly.
- ばN4「ば」 expresses condition (supposition, requirement, general rule) and appears in expressions like 「ばいい」「ばよかった」; 「〜ば〜ほど」 instead follows the ば-form with the same word + ほど specifically to show a 'the more... the more...' proportional relation, so they cannot be swapped.
Like ば〜ほど, につれて, にしたがって and に伴って express proportional change, but they attach once to a verb or noun and sound more written. ほど alone is the shortened form of this pattern, while ば by itself is a plain conditional with no sense of proportion.
