Comparative Clauses with je … desto/umso
Learn to express proportional change with je … desto/umso. Practise comparative forms, verb-final order in the je-clause, and verb-second order in the main clause.
Explanation
Linking two changes
Use **je … desto/umso** when one change is connected to another:
> **Je früher wir starten, desto ruhiger wird die Fahrt.** — The earlier we start, the calmer the journey will be.
**Desto** and **umso** have the same meaning here.
Word order
| Clause | Opening | Comparison | Verb position | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| subordinate clause | **je** | comparative | finite verb at the end | je **früher** wir **starten** |
| main clause | **desto/umso** | comparative | finite verb immediately after it (position 2) | desto **ruhiger wird** die Fahrt |
The **je-clause normally comes first** and is separated by a comma. The reverse order is grammatically possible but less common: **Desto ruhiger wird die Fahrt, je früher wir starten.**
Forms
Both halves use comparative forms: schnell → **schneller**, gut → **besser**, viel → **mehr**, wenig → **weniger**, gern → **lieber**.
A noun may follow the comparative: **Je mehr Zeit** wir haben, **desto bessere Lösungen** finden wir.
Changes may move in the same or opposite directions. Keep both rules in view: verb-final order in the **je-clause**, and verb-second order after **desto/umso + comparative**.
Exercises
- Match each je-clause with the logical desto/umso continuation. (1)
- Insert the adjectives or quantity words in the correct comparative form. (10)
- Order the words. Keep the verb final after je and in position 2 after desto/umso. (10)
- Rewrite the statement as a complete sentence with je … desto or je … umso. (10)
B1 · German · Grammar