Definite Article – Grammatical Rules for ‘The … The …’ Construction

constructiondefinite-article

a) The more I study, the less I learn.

b) More I study, less I learn.

Could we rewrite the sentence shown under the letter a) in the form shown under the letter b) without breaking any grammatical rule? If not, why not?

Best Answer

This construction is an idiom which is not governed by any general grammatical rule, but is in effect a rule all by itself. Its structure is

The [x-ER], the [x-ER]

where the two [x-ER]s are parallel expressions in the comparative grade.

The [more], the [merrier]

[x-ER] need not be a simple adjective; it can be a more complex (or compound) phrase or full clause, with the comparative fronted:

The [higher they rise], the [harder they fall]
The [more effort I put into something I care about], the [more satisfaction I get out of it]

But the thes are essential components; they cannot ordinarily be omitted. To be sure, you may hear someone drop them in speech, under the pressure of strong emotion (real or simulated):

Crap. Harder I work, less I get done. Crap.

But that should not be done in writing, unless what you're writing is dialogue.

HISTORICAL NOTE:
As this explains, the thes in this expression aren't the ordinary definite article but ‘worn-down’ forms of an Old English pronoun — which is why the ordinary rules don’t apply.

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