a relation between two events, each on a gradable predicative scale, such that an event at one degree on the first predicative scale causes an event at the corresponding degree on the second predicative scale. Example: The longer that Bill had to wait, the angrier he got is an instance of the comparative conditional relation and construction: a degree of length of time that Bill had to wait can (in a generic conditional) or does (in an ordinary, specific conditional) cause the occurrence of the corresponding degree of Bill's anger. (Section 17.4.1)