English grammar
Little by little: getting + comparative and comparative, coming along; go around + -ing
Describe gradual progress and annoying behaviour: drier and drier, coming along, getting there, go around + -ing.
From the scene We're getting there
In short
Show slow change with getting + comparative and comparative: drier and drier. Getting there and coming along mean progress.
Your turn
Which one goes with a gradual loss?
Options: the floor is coming along beautifully · my money is getting smaller and smaller · the paint's getting drier and drier
Show answer
a gradual loss → my money is getting smaller and smaller
How it works
To show a gradual change, English repeats the comparative after get.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Besides, Elena's going around (blank) the whole neighbourhood that this place will never open.
Options: told · telling · tell
Show answer
Besides, Elena's going around telling the whole neighbourhood that this place will never open.
Además, Elena anda diciendo por todo el barrio que esto no se abre nunca.
Good to know
Drier and drier, smaller and smaller (more and more expensive with long adjectives).
Good to know
Coming along and getting there say that work is slowly progressing.
Good to know
Go around (or go round) + -ing means doing something here, there and everywhere, usually something the speaker disapproves of: she's going around telling everyone.
gradual change: getting + comparative and comparative the paint's getting drier and drier
Tomás
But look: the paint's getting drier and drier and the floor is coming along beautifully.
Pero mire: la pintura se va secando y el suelo va quedando precioso.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
But look: (blank) and the floor is coming along beautifully.
Options: my money is getting smaller and smaller · we're getting there · the paint's getting drier and drier
Show answer
Tomás
But look: the paint's getting drier and drier and the floor is coming along beautifully.
Pero mire: la pintura se va secando y el suelo va quedando precioso.
a gradual loss my money is getting smaller and smaller
Ramón
And my money is getting smaller and smaller.
Y mi dinero se va acabando.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And (blank).
Options: the floor is coming along beautifully · my money is getting smaller and smaller · the paint's getting drier and drier
Show answer
Ramón
And my money is getting smaller and smaller.
Y mi dinero se va acabando.
work progressing well the floor is coming along beautifully
Tomás
But look: the paint's getting drier and drier and the floor is coming along beautifully.
Pero mire: la pintura se va secando y el suelo va quedando precioso.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
But look: the paint's getting drier and drier and (blank).
Options: my money is getting smaller and smaller · we're getting there · the floor is coming along beautifully
Show answer
Tomás
But look: the paint's getting drier and drier and the floor is coming along beautifully.
Pero mire: la pintura se va secando y el suelo va quedando precioso.
slowly approaching the end we're getting there
Javi
We're getting there, Don Ramón. Little by little.
Vamos avanzando, Don Ramón. Poco a poco.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank), Don Ramón. Little by little.
Options: My money is getting smaller and smaller · We're getting there · The paint's getting drier and drier
Show answer
Javi
We're getting there, Don Ramón. Little by little.
Vamos avanzando, Don Ramón. Poco a poco.
doing it everywhere (disapproving): go around + -ing she's going around telling everyone
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| gradual change: getting + comparative and comparative | the paint's getting drier and drier |
|---|---|
| a gradual loss | my money is getting smaller and smaller |
| work progressing well | the floor is coming along beautifully |
| slowly approaching the end | we're getting there |
| doing it everywhere (disapproving): go around + -ing | she's going around telling everyone |
More lines from the story
- RamónBesides, Elena's going around telling the whole neighbourhood that this place will never open.Además, Elena anda diciendo por todo el barrio que esto no se abre nunca.
- TomásDoña Elena's been going round complaining about the noise since Monday.Doña Elena anda quejándose del ruido desde el lunes.
- JaviRelax, Don Ramón. Little by little, it's fixing itself.Tranquilo, Don Ramón. Poco a poco, se va arreglando sola.