the more one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the more one" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in comparative statements to indicate that as one thing increases, another thing also increases or decreases. Example: "The more one practices, the better one becomes at a skill."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The more one abuses love, the more one craves love, and the less one is able to feel or obtain it.

The New Yorker

Learning to use a software package is always an incremental process: the more one works on a system, the more one will understand its various features.

Introduction to Multimedia Systems

"The more one tries to hide, the more one is exposed," she posted cryptically.

Los Angeles Times

The passage is worth quoting more fully: "The more one studies the middle ages, the more one notices the polymorphism of the Platonic influence.

SEP

The higher one's income the more one can afford to spend on a spouse.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

The more one looks, the more one sees and, hopefully, understands.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The more one knows, the less one knows.

The New Yorker

The more one learns about the course of civilization, he believed, the more one can appreciate its achievements.

The New Yorker

The more one drinks, the thirstier one grows.

The New York Times

The longer one looks, the more one experiences.

The Guardian - Arts

It does not always follow that the more one has the more one can afford to lose, and that may extend to the innovations of the age itself.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "the more one", ensure that the parallel construction in the sentence is clear and grammatically aligned to maintain clarity and impact. For example: "The more one practices, the better one becomes."

Common error

Avoid inconsistent grammatical structures when using "the more one". Ensure both parts of the correlative sentence follow the same grammatical pattern. Incorrect: "The more one reads, their knowledge increases." Correct: "The more one reads, the more one's knowledge increases."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the more one" functions as a correlative conjunction, introducing a dependent clause that expresses a proportional relationship. Ludwig confirms its usability and grammatical correctness. It sets up a comparison where an increase in one factor leads to a corresponding change in another.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the more one" is a grammatically sound and frequently used correlative construction that sets up a proportional relationship between two clauses. As evidenced by Ludwig, it commonly appears in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources, signifying its widespread acceptance in various formal contexts. It expresses correlation and causality. When employing this phrase, maintaining a parallel grammatical structure is crucial for clarity. Although "the more a person" or "the more someone" serve as alternatives, the original phrase remains a versatile tool for expressing linked changes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the more a person

Replaces the impersonal "one" with a more direct and personal subject.

the more someone

Similar to "the more a person", making the subject less abstract.

the more individuals

Highlights a collective action instead of an individual one.

the greater the extent

Focuses on the degree of increase or magnitude rather than a singular actor.

the higher the degree

Focuses on the intensity or level of something and its correlation.

the deeper one delves

Highlights a more profound investigation or exploration.

the further one progresses

Emphasizes the advancement in a process or journey.

to a greater degree

Focuses on the extent of the change or effect.

as one continues

Shifts the focus to the continuation of an action and its subsequent effect.

with increased involvement

Emphasizes the level of engagement and its resulting impact.

FAQs

How to use "the more one" in a sentence?

The phrase "the more one" introduces a clause that correlates with another, typically indicating that as one quantity or action increases, so does another. For example, "The more one learns, the more one realizes how little one knows."

What can I say instead of "the more one"?

You can use alternatives like "the more a person", "the more someone", or rephrase to focus on a specific subject rather than the general "one". For instance, instead of "The more one practices...", you could say "The more students practice...".

Is it always necessary to repeat "one" in both clauses when using "the more one"?

While repeating "one" maintains a parallel structure and can enhance clarity, it's not always strictly necessary if the meaning is clear without it. For example, "The more one reads, the wiser one becomes" can also be phrased as "The more one reads, the wiser one becomes", though the first is often preferred for emphasis.

What's the difference between "the more one" and "the more you"?

"The more one" is a more general and impersonal construction, applicable to anyone. "The more you" is more direct and personal, addressing the listener or reader specifically. Using "the more you" personalizes the statement and makes it more engaging for the audience.