In English, to describe a continuous, gradual change, we often repeat a comparative word ("colder and colder", "faster and faster") or use "increasingly."
In Russian, express this ongoing progression using the particle всё followed by a single comparative adjective or adverb. Do not repeat the comparative word.
- warmer and warmer = всё теплее
- faster and faster = всё быстрее
| increasingly / more and more | всё |
Let's look at how this is used to talk about gradual changes, such as rising temperatures and melting glaciers.
| The temperature is gradually rising, and it is getting warmer and warmer. | Температура постепенно повышается, и становится всё теплее. |
| The glaciers are melting increasingly fast. | Ледники тают всё быстрее. |
Pairing with Verbs of Change
This progressive comparison naturally pairs with verbs that describe ongoing processes. When discussing global trends, you will often see всё + comparative used alongside reflexive verbs that indicate a changing state, such as:
- повышаться (to rise / increase)
- усиливаться (to intensify)
- ухудшаться (to worsen)
| Global warming is intensifying, and this threat is increasingly serious. | Глобальное потепление усиливается, и эта угроза всё серьёзнее. |
| Disasters are happening more and more often. | Катастрофы случаются всё чаще. |
These verbs combine with всё + comparative to emphasize that a situation is continuously progressing.
| The situation is worsening, and the consequences are becoming more and more dangerous. | Ситуация ухудшается, а последствия становятся всё опаснее. |