Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Increasingly; to a progressively greater degree or extent: Used to describe a situation, condition, or action that is growing or becoming stronger over time.

Usage

• The phrase 'more and more' is used to indicate a continuous or gradual increase in the degree, amount, frequency, or intensity of something. It emphasizes a trend that is ongoing.
• It typically modifies verbs or adjectives to show progression.
• It is often used in both spoken and written English to describe observable trends.

Examples

• Adverb:
  • The situation is becoming more and more difficult to manage.
  • He found himself relying more and more on his friends for support.
  • As technology advances, we see more and more applications for artificial intelligence.

Advanced Usage

• 'more and more' + Adjective: Used to show that a quality is intensifying.
  • The nights grew more and more silent.
• 'more and more' + Verb/Noun: Used to show an increasing frequency or quantity of an action or thing.
  • People are choosing to work remotely more and more.
  • We are seeing more and more evidence of climate change.

Variants and Related Words

• Increasingly (adv): In a way that is growing or becoming greater. Often used interchangeably with 'more and more' in formal writing.
  • She became increasingly concerned about the delay.
• Progressively (adv): In a way that happens or develops gradually over time.
  • The pain got progressively worse.

Synonyms

• Increasingly
• To a greater and greater extent
• Progressively

Related Phrases

• Ever more: A more literary or formal synonym, also meaning increasingly.
  • The task grew ever more complicated.
• Less and less: The opposite trend, indicating a continuous decrease.
  • He visited less and less frequently.

Notes on Usage

• 'More and more' is a fixed adverbial phrase. It is not typically used in comparative structures like "more beautiful and more beautiful"; the correct form is "more and more beautiful."
• It is commonly used to introduce or describe trends in analytical, descriptive, or journalistic contexts.

Adverb

1. advancing in amount or intensity
   • she became increasingly depressed