Learn Hardcore Ukrainian: Чим більше я читаю, тим краще розумію граматику. - The more I read, the better I understand grammar.

It’s a correlative comparative: “the + comparative, the + comparative.” Structure: чим + comparative + clause 1, тим + comparative + clause 2. It expresses that an increase in one thing leads to an increase (or decrease) in another.

Why is чим used—what is it grammatically?

Чим is the instrumental form of the pronoun що (what). Тим is the instrumental of той (that). Literally: “by what (degree) … by that (degree) …,” which is how Ukrainian forms this correlation.

Do both halves have to use a comparative? Which words are comparative here?

Yes, that’s the norm. Here, більше is the comparative of багато (much/many → more), and краще is the comparative of добре (well → better).

Can I say що ... то ... instead of чим ... тим ...?

Yes. A standard variant is: Що більше я читаю, то краще розумію граматику. Don’t mix the pairs: use either чим ... тим ... or що ... то ..., not cross-combinations.

Where does the comma go?

Place a comma between the two correlated clauses: Чим …, тим …. The comma is required.

Do I have to repeat я in the second clause?

No. Ukrainian is pro‑drop, so the subject can be omitted when clear: … тим краще розумію …. Repeating я (… тим краще я розумію …) adds emphasis or balance but isn’t required.

Why is граматику in the accusative?

It’s the direct object of розумію (a transitive verb), so it’s in the accusative singular: граматику. To say “be good at/knowledgeable about grammar,” you’d more likely use a different verb and case: розбиратися в граматиці / розумітися на граматиці (locative with a preposition).

Can I change the word order, e.g., put краще after the verb?

Adverbs can move, but keep тим close to the comparative it modifies. Natural options:

… тим краще я розумію граматику.
… тим я краще розумію граматику. Avoid splitting тим from краще by the verb: … тим я розумію граматику краще is possible but less idiomatic in this pattern.

Can I reverse the order of the clauses?

Yes, but it’s less common: Тим краще я розумію граматику, чим більше я читаю. The standard, more natural order starts with the чим-clause.

How would I express a one-time/future result with aspect?

Use perfective verbs: Чим більше я прочитаю (книжок), тим краще зрозумію граматику. This means the more I will manage to read (completely), the better I will come to understand.

Is більш краще correct? What’s the difference between більш and більше?

Більш краще is a wrong double comparative (avoid it). Більш is a particle used before adjectives/adverbs in a bookish style (e.g., більш цікавий = more interesting), while більше is an adverb/pronominal form meaning “more” (e.g., читати більше). Here you need більше.

Can I intensify the comparison (like “the much better”)?

Yes. Insert an intensifier before the comparative in the second clause: … тим набагато/значно/куди краще розумію граматику.

Are there fixed expressions with this pattern?

Yes, very common ones:

Чим більше, тим краще. (The more, the better.)
Чим раніше, тим краще. (The earlier, the better.)
Чим менше, тим краще. (The less, the better.)

Can I drop я in the first clause too?

Yes: Чим більше читаю, тим краще розумію граматику. Both subjects are recoverable from the verb endings.

Any pronunciation/stress tips for tricky words here?

бíльше (stress on í)
чита́ю (stress on á)
кра́ще (stress on á)
розумі́ю (stress on í)
грама́тику (stress on á)

What happens under negation?

With negation, Ukrainian often uses the genitive for an indefinite/partial object: Я не розумію граматики. Accusative can appear with a specific/definite object, but with abstract nouns like “grammar,” genitive is more typical in the negative.