"Entre" in this sentence

Question

A friend of mine (native of Mexico) translated a sentence for me. I'm having a hard time understanding why it starts with 'entre'. How entre translates.

The earlier I hear from you tomorrow, the more likely I can go.

Entre más temprano escuche de ti mañana, más probabilidad de que pueda ir.

Answer 1

"Entre más" is the same as "Cuanto más" (the more... the higher the probability...)

This is an expression that use to be considered vulgar, but it has become standard in Mexico and Central America, where it is used by all speakers at all levels. Elsewhere it is only used by people with poor education, and it is not admitted in proper formal Spanish (in those countries).

"Cuánto más" is considered acceptable Spanish everywhere.

Thank you ! - Anna, Aug 17, 2011

(used) - Kiwi-Girl, Aug 17, 2011

Answer 2

I agree with lazarus1907. " Cuanto mas ..." is the right expression. Also is very common : "Mientras mas temprano tenga noticias tuyas ..." " Mientras mas temprano sepa de ti".

But, this kind of expression does not make responsible the person for giving you the information, i.e. someone else will come and give the info.

If you want to make responsible the person for giving you the info, is better to say: "Mientras mas temprano me avises, hay mas probabilidad que pueda ir". (Note the verb "hay" , is needed here)

Regards

Bienvenido al foro Santzzi - por favor, acepte su primer voto de mi je je:) Como todos estamos aquí para mejorar cualquier idioma que estamos aprendiendo, espero que no le molesta que le hago algunas sugerencias. Also 'it' is very common 'to say' .... - Kiwi-Girl, Aug 17, 2011

does not make 'the person' responsible 'to give' you the info... someone else will come and give 'you' the info. If you want to make the person to whom you are speaking responsible 'for giving' .... :) - Kiwi-Girl, Aug 17, 2011

Gracias! es muy bueno poder aprender de esta forma, bien practica. Agradezco las correcciones, porque las necesito! Saludos - Santzzi, Aug 18, 2011

Answer 3

in latin america is most common entre mas than en cuanto mas

Latin America is veeery large, and not everybody speaks like in your area. The comments I wrote are based on the studies of Latin American experts in dialectology, not my personal opinion. - lazarus1907, Aug 17, 2011

In Latin America "entre más" is more common than "en cuanto más". - samdie, Aug 17, 2011