Why there is a 'the' before earlier?
"... demonstrate that the earlier someone learns an additional language the more likely they are to master it."
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2Hello, Umbesabro. This is a well known type of expression in English (a 'snowclone'). The archetypal example is the stock saying 'the bigger[,] the better'. Neck and neck with 'The more, the merrier.' It's a set pattern. – Edwin Ashworth Dec 25 '19 at 11:35
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2Does this answer your question? "The bigger, the better" – What is the function of "the" in these kinds of phrases? It {seems a strange place for a definite article to occur}. – Edwin Ashworth Dec 25 '19 at 11:36
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@EdwinAshworth Yes, thank you. – umb Dec 26 '19 at 09:56