Breakdown of По мере того как мы взрослеем, мы изменяемся.
мы
we
изменяться
to change (intransitive)
по мере того как
as
взрослеть
to mature
Questions & Answers about По мере того как мы взрослеем, мы изменяемся.
What is the exact difference between по мере того как and simply using когда in this sentence?
While когда just means when, по мере того как emphasizes proportional progression. It shows that two gradual processes are happening in parallel: as the first action progresses, the second one progresses alongside it.
Why are both взрослеем and изменяемся in the imperfective aspect?
The imperfective aspect is required here because both verbs describe ongoing, continuous processes rather than completed events. The conjunction по мере того как naturally pairs with imperfective verbs to highlight this gradual, parallel evolution.
Literally, what does the phrase по мере того как mean, and can I shorten it?
It translates literally to by the measure of that, how. Мере is the dative case of мера (measure), and того is the genitive case of то (that). You cannot skip того or shorten the phrase; it must be used as a fixed block.
Why do we use the reflexive verb изменяемся instead of изменяем?
Изменять is a transitive verb, meaning to change something else. Adding the reflexive particle -ся makes the action happen to the subject itself. We use изменяемся here because we are not changing an outside object; we are the ones undergoing the change.