Advanced Proportional Change: -면 -ㄹ/을수록 Pattern

This pattern uses two parts to show a relationship. The first part is usually -(으)면. The second part is -(으)ㄹ수록. Together, they mean "The more [A], the more [B]." Imagine you are climbing a mountain. The higher you go, the colder it gets. That is exactly what this grammar describes. It tracks progress over time or intensity. You can use it with verbs or adjectives. It works for both positive and negative changes. Sometimes, you can even drop the first part. Native speakers do this to speak faster. It is like a grammar shortcut for busy people.

1. 1Find your verb or adjective stem first.
2. 2For the first part, add -(으)면.
3. 3If the stem ends in a vowel, add -면.
4. 4If it ends in a consonant, add -으면.
5. 5For the second part, repeat the stem.
6. 6Add -(으)ㄹ수록 to this repeated stem.
7. 7Use -ㄹ수록 for stems ending in vowels.
8. 8Use -을수록 for stems ending in consonants.
9. 9If the stem ends in ㄹ, just add 수록.
10. 10Example: 가다 (to go) becomes 가면 갈수록.
11. 11Example: 먹다 (to eat) becomes 먹으면 먹을수록.
12. 12It looks long, but it is just repetition.
13. 13Think of it as a rhythmic echo.

Use this when describing habits that grow. It is perfect for talking about learning Korean. "The more I study, the harder it gets." We have all felt that, right? Use it when ordering food at a restaurant. "The spicier it is, the better!" It works well for job interviews too. "The more I work, the more I learn." Use it for describing people you like. "The more I see you, the more I like you." It is great for talking about money or time. "The more time I have, the more I sleep." It covers almost any proportional situation in life.

Do not use this for one-time events. It needs a sense of ongoing change. You cannot use it for "The more I arrived." That sounds very strange in any language. Avoid using it with past tense endings inside the pattern. The pattern itself implies a process, not a finished act. Do not use it for unrelated facts. "The more I eat, the more the sun shines." That makes no logical sense at all. Keep the two parts logically connected. If there is no "sliding scale," do not use it. It is for things that grow or shrink together.

Many people forget to repeat the verb stem. They might just say 먹을수록 instead of 먹으면 먹을수록. While 먹을수록 is okay, the full version is clearer. Another mistake is the ㄹ irregular stems. For 살다 (to live), do not say 살으면. It should be 살면 살수록. Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes. Do not mix up different verbs in one pattern. Stick to the same word for both parts. It is like a grammar traffic light. If you mix colors, people get very confused. Take your time with the double stems.

Compare this to just using -(으)면 (if/when). -(으)면 is a simple condition with one result. -ㄹ수록 adds the idea of "increasing degree." It is the difference between "If I eat" and "The more I eat." Also, compare it to -기 때문에 (because). Because shows a reason, but not a proportion. This pattern is unique because it tracks a curve. It is not just "A causes B." It is "As A grows, B grows too." It is much more dynamic than simple cause-and-effect. It adds flavor and movement to your speech.