We use a reduced clause in each part of a "The more…, the … "expression. The correlative comparative is a paired construction. Each part is syntactically alike. A comma separates the two clauses.
The more the building shook, the more we held on.
The more the wave rose, the faster we ran.
The more we saw, the less we could believe.
The more we looked, the fewer things we found to retrieve.
In some expressions, the second variation is expected. Note that the word, verb, phrase and clause forms are parallel in each part of the expression. Be is omitted in the reduced construction.
The larger the paycheck, the greater the purchase. noun-noun
The lower the rates, the more the borrowers.
THE + ADJECTIVE
*The stronger, the better. (coffee, nations, will) adjective-adjective
The bigger, the better. (toys, cars) adjective-adjective
The more, the merrier. (people) adjective-adjective
THE + CLAUSE
The higher they rise, the more they benefit. clause-clause
The older I get, the more I understand.
The more you give, the more you receive. (love, wealth)
The more you learn, the more your earn. (education)
In other expressions, the second variation is unexpected or contrary. The word forms should be parallel in each half of the expression.
THE + NOUN
The larger the paycheck, the less you take home. (because of taxes)
The lower the rates, the fewer the lenders.
THE + ADJECTIVE
The stronger, the worse. (Unclear context, not an expression)
The smaller, the better. (computers, phones, microchips) adjective-adjective
Less is better. (a design or architectural concept)
THE + CLAUSE
The higher they rise, the harder they fall. (politicians, leaders, businessmen)
The older I get, the younger I feel.
The more your take, the more you lose. (love, wealth)
The more we learn, the less we know.
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