The Proportional Comparative with þeim mun
To express "all the more" or "so much the", Icelandic uses the phrase þeim mun followed by a comparative adjective or adverb. Literally meaning "by that difference," it highlights how one factor directly amplifies another.
| If the effort is great, you will become all the more focused. | Ef áreynslan er mikil verður þú þeim mun einbeittari. |
| The training is demanding, but we become all the better. | Þjálfunin er krefjandi, en við verðum þeim mun betri. |
Effort, Progress, and Achievement
This structure is especially useful when talking about scaling effort, intensive training, or progress. Notice how þeim mun easily modifies different comparative forms like markvissari (more purposeful), meira (more), and stærra (greater):
| It was the milestone that made the training all the more purposeful. | Það var áfanginn sem gerði þjálfunina þeim mun markvissari. |
| When he noticed the progress, he practiced all the more. | Þegar hann tók eftir framförinni æfði hann þeim mun meira. |
| The perseverance makes the achievement all the greater. | Seiglan gerir afrekið þeim mun stærra. |
Gradual Changes
When describing incremental progress over time rather than a direct "all the more" comparison, use the phrase smám saman (gradually, little by little):
| The intensity in the training gradually decreased. | Ákefðin í þjálfuninni minnkaði smám saman. |
You will often see these concepts combined, showing how gradual practice leads to proportional improvement:
| I gradually study more and understand all the better. | Ég læri smám saman meira og skil þeim mun betur. |
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