Breakdown of Задача кажется менее трудной по мере того, как мы приобретаем уверенность.
мы
we
трудный
difficult
задача
task
менее
less
казаться
to seem
по мере того как
as
уверенность
confidence
приобретать
to acquire
Questions & Answers about Задача кажется менее трудной по мере того, как мы приобретаем уверенность.
How does the phrase по мере того, как work, and where should the comma go?
По мере того как translates to 'as' or 'in proportion to'. It connects two ongoing processes happening at the same time. You will usually see the comma placed right before как, splitting the conjunction, though it can also go before the entire phrase (...трудной, по мере того как...).
Why is трудной in the instrumental case here?
The verb казаться (to seem) requires the adjective or noun that describes the subject to be in the instrumental case. Since задача is feminine, we use the feminine instrumental ending -ой to make it трудной.
Could I just use a short comparative word instead of менее трудной?
Yes! Задача кажется менее трудной (using менее + instrumental adjective) is slightly more formal and precise to the English 'less difficult'. In everyday speech, you could simply say задача кажется легче (the task seems easier).
Why must the verb приобретаем (acquire) be in the imperfective aspect here?
The conjunction по мере того, как is all about parallel progression. Because acquiring confidence is a gradual, ongoing process running at the same time as the task seeming less difficult, the continuous nature of the imperfective aspect is required.
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