Emphasizing degree with des te
To say something is "all the more" or "all the [comparative]" (like "all the better"), use des te followed by a comparative adjective.
| This analog record player was expensive, but it sounds all the better. | Deze analoge platenspeler was duur, maar hij klinkt des te beter. |
Notice how des te sits directly in front of the comparative to emphasize that a certain circumstance makes a quality even stronger.
| The sleeve is damaged; therefore, this first pressing is all the rarer. | De hoes is beschadigd, daardoor is deze eerste persing des te zeldzamer. |
| Every scratch in the groove makes the record all the more unique. | Elke kras in de groef maakt de plaat des te unieker. |
Correlating with naarmate (As...)
Des te frequently pairs with a subordinate clause starting with naarmate (as / to the degree that).
Because the sentence starts with a subordinate clause, standard Dutch word order applies: the main clause undergoes inversion. The verb comes first, followed by the subject, then des te and the comparative adjective.
| As you listen to vinyl more, the record sounds all the more beautiful. | Naarmate je meer naar vinyl luistert, klinkt de plaat des te mooier. |
| As they release more pressings, they become all the cheaper. | Naarmate ze meer persingen uitbrengen, worden ze des te goedkoper. |
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