Mastering Norwegian Subordinating Conjunctions and Complex Sentences

Are you ready to take your Norwegian language skills to the next level? Understanding and using subordinating conjunctions is a crucial step in constructing complex sentences and expressing more sophisticated ideas in Norwegian. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the intricacies of subordinating conjunctions, their impact on sentence structure, and how to use them effectively in your Norwegian communication.

Whether you’re a beginner looking to expand your linguistic toolkit or an intermediate learner aiming to refine your grammar skills, this article will provide you with valuable insights and practical examples. By the end, you’ll have a solid grasp of how to create more nuanced and expressive sentences in Norwegian.

Ready to dive in? Let’s embark on this linguistic journey together!

Introduction to Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions are words that connect a dependent clause to an independent clause in a sentence. They play a crucial role in creating complex sentences, allowing you to express relationships between ideas such as cause and effect, time sequence, or contrast. In Norwegian, some common subordinating conjunctions include:

• hvis (if)
• fordi (because)
• siden (since)
• selv om (even though)
• når (when)
• da (when, in the past)
• mens (while)
• før (before)
• etter at (after)

Understanding how to use these conjunctions correctly will significantly enhance your ability to communicate complex thoughts and ideas in Norwegian.

Normal Word Order with Subordinating Conjunctions

When the independent clause comes first in a sentence, followed by the subordinating conjunction and the dependent clause, both clauses maintain their normal word order. This structure is often easier for beginners to grasp and use correctly. Let’s look at some examples:

1. Hvis (if): “Jeg skal spille tennis hvis været blir fint.” (I will play tennis if the weather is nice.)
2. Fordi (because): “Hun lærer norsk fordi hun har familie i Norge.” (She is learning Norwegian because she has family in Norway.)
3. Siden (since): “Vi gikk på kino siden det var så kaldt ute.” (We went to the cinema since it was so cold outside.)
4. Selv om (even though): “Jeg gikk en tur selv om det regnet.” (I went for a walk even though it was raining.)
5. Når (when): “Jeg skal gå ut når jeg er ferdig med leksene.” (I will go out when I’m done with my homework.)

In these examples, you can see that the word order in both the main clause and the dependent clause remains unchanged. This structure is straightforward and is an excellent starting point for constructing complex sentences in Norwegian.

Inversion after the Dependent Clause

Now, let’s explore a more advanced structure that often challenges learners: inversion after the dependent clause. When the subordinating conjunction and the dependent clause start the sentence, there is an inversion of the subject and the verb in the second clause (the independent clause). This inversion is a crucial aspect of Norwegian syntax and mastering it will make your speech and writing sound more natural and fluent.

Let’s look at some examples:

1. Hvis (if): “Hvis været blir fint, skal jeg spille tennis.” (If the weather is nice, I will play tennis.)
2. Fordi (because): “Fordi hun har familie i Norge, lærer hun norsk.” (Because she has family in Norway, she is learning Norwegian.)
3. Siden (since): “Siden det var så kaldt ute, gikk vi på kino.” (Since it was so cold outside, we went to the cinema.)
4. Selv om (even though): “Selv om det regnet, gikk jeg en tur.” (Even though it was raining, I went for a walk.)
5. Når (when): “Når jeg er ferdig med leksene, skal jeg gå ut.” (When I’m done with my homework, I will go out.)

Notice how in each of these sentences, the verb in the main clause (skal, lærer, gikk, gikk, skal) comes before the subject (jeg, hun, vi, jeg, jeg). This inversion is a key feature of Norwegian sentence structure and is essential for constructing grammatically correct complex sentences.

Placement of Adverbs in Dependent Clauses

Another crucial aspect of using subordinating conjunctions in Norwegian is understanding the correct placement of adverbs in dependent clauses. In Norwegian, sentence adverbs (such as ikke, aldri, alltid) normally occur after the verb in main clauses. However, when these adverbs appear in dependent clauses, they come before the verb. This shift in word order can be tricky for learners but is essential for natural-sounding Norwegian.

Let’s examine some examples:

1. Hvis (if): “Jeg skal spille tennis hvis det ikke regner.” (I will play tennis if it doesn’t rain.) “Hvis det ikke regner, skal jeg spille tennis.” (If it doesn’t rain, I will play tennis.)
2. Fordi (because): “Hun lærer norsk fordi hun aldri har bodd i utlandet før.” (She is learning Norwegian because she has never lived abroad before.) “Fordi hun aldri har bodd i utlandet før, lærer hun norsk.” (Because she has never lived abroad before, she is learning Norwegian.)
3. Siden (since): “Vi går på kino siden vi alltid ser film på fredager.” (We’re going to the cinema since we always watch movies on Fridays.) “Siden vi alltid ser film på fredager, går vi på kino.” (Since we always watch movies on Fridays, we’re going to the cinema.)
4. Selv om (even though): “Jeg nyter turen selv om jeg ikke er i god form.” (I’m enjoying the hike even though I’m not in good shape.) “Selv om jeg ikke er i god form, nyter jeg turen.” (Even though I’m not in good shape, I’m enjoying the hike.)
5. Når (when): “Jeg blir glad når jeg ikke må jobbe overtid.” (I get happy when I don’t have to work overtime.) “Når jeg ikke må jobbe overtid, blir jeg glad.” (When I don’t have to work overtime, I get happy.)

Pay close attention to the position of adverbs like “ikke” and “alltid” in these examples. In the dependent clauses, they come before the verb, which is different from their position in main clauses.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

As you practice using subordinating conjunctions and complex sentences in Norwegian, you may encounter some common pitfalls. Being aware of these can help you avoid them and improve your language skills more quickly. Here are some frequent mistakes and tips on how to avoid them:

1. Forgetting the inversion in the main clause: Incorrect: “Hvis det regner i morgen, jeg skal bli hjemme.” Correct: “Hvis det regner i morgen, skal jeg bli hjemme.” Tip: Always remember to invert the subject and verb in the main clause when the sentence starts with a dependent clause.
2. Misplacing adverbs in dependent clauses: Incorrect: “Jeg blir glad når kommer ikke regnet.” Correct: “Jeg blir glad når det ikke regner.” Tip: In dependent clauses, place adverbs like “ikke” before the verb.
3. Using the wrong tense with “da” and “når”: Incorrect: “Da jeg går til butikken, møtte jeg min gamle lærer.” Correct: “Da jeg gikk til butikken, møtte jeg min gamle lærer.” Tip: “Da” is used for past events, so make sure to use past tense verbs with it.
4. Confusing “hvis” and “om”: While both can mean “if,” they’re used differently. “Hvis” is for conditional statements, while “om” is often used for indirect questions. Example with “hvis”: “Hvis det blir fint vær, skal vi grille.” (If the weather is nice, we’ll have a barbecue.) Example with “om”: “Jeg lurer på om det blir fint vær.” (I wonder if the weather will be nice.)
5. Overcomplicating sentences: Sometimes, learners try to create overly complex sentences, leading to confusion. It’s often better to use two simpler sentences rather than one very complex one. Complicated: “Selv om jeg hadde studert norsk i mange år før jeg flyttet til Norge, og jeg trodde jeg var flytende, oppdaget jeg at det var mye mer å lære når jeg begynte å jobbe i et norsk firma.” Simplified: “Jeg hadde studert norsk i mange år før jeg flyttet til Norge. Selv om jeg trodde jeg var flytende, oppdaget jeg at det var mye mer å lære da jeg begynte å jobbe i et norsk firma.”

By being mindful of these common mistakes, you can improve your use of subordinating conjunctions and complex sentences in Norwegian more effectively.

Practice Exercises

To help reinforce your understanding and usage of subordinating conjunctions in Norwegian, try these practice exercises:

1. Sentence Combination: Combine the following pairs of sentences using the given subordinating conjunction: a) Det regner. Jeg tar med paraply. (fordi) b) Hun lærer norsk. Hun vil bo i Norge. (siden) c) Vi går tur. Solen skinner. (når)
2. Inversion Practice: Rewrite these sentences, starting with the dependent clause: a) Jeg skal ringe deg hvis jeg kommer for sent. b) Vi kan ikke gå ut fordi det er for kaldt. c) Han spiser ikke fisk selv om legen anbefaler det.
3. Adverb Placement: Add the adverb in parentheses to the following sentences, placing it correctly: a) Hvis du _____ liker kaffe, kan vi gå på en annen kafé. (ikke) b) Jeg blir hjemme når det _____ er fint vær. (ikke) c) Vi skal reise til Norge selv om vi _____ har mye penger. (ikke)
4. Error Correction: Identify and correct the errors in these sentences: a) Når jeg kommer hjem, jeg skal lage middag. b) Selv om regner det, vi går en tur. c) Han lærer norsk fordi han liker ikke engelsk.
5. Free Writing: Write a short paragraph about your daily routine using at least five different subordinating conjunctions. Try to use both normal word order and inversion in your sentences.

Remember, practice makes perfect! Regular exercises like these will help you internalize the rules and use subordinating conjunctions more naturally in your Norwegian communication.

Advanced Usage and Idiomatic Expressions

As you become more comfortable with subordinating conjunctions and complex sentences in Norwegian, you can start exploring more advanced usage and idiomatic expressions. These will add depth and authenticity to your Norwegian language skills.

1. Combining multiple subordinate clauses: “Hvis det ikke regner i morgen, og siden vi begge har fri, kan vi dra på picnic i parken.” (If it doesn’t rain tomorrow, and since we both have the day off, we can go for a picnic in the park.)
2. Using “jo … desto/jo” constructions: This construction is similar to “the … the” in English. “Jo mer jeg lærer norsk, desto mer fascinerende synes jeg språket er.” (The more I learn Norwegian, the more fascinating I find the language.)
3. Idiomatic use of “da” in exclamations: “Da så!” (Well then! / There you go!) “Da var det gjort!” (There, it’s done!)
4. Using “for” as a subordinating conjunction: “Jeg kunne ikke komme, for jeg var syk.” (I couldn’t come, for I was sick.)
5. The versatile “så”: “Så” can be used in various ways, including as a subordinating conjunction meaning “so that”: “Jeg snakker sakte så du kan forstå meg bedre.” (I’m speaking slowly so that you can understand me better.)
6. Conditional expressions with “skulle”: “Skulle det bli regn, tar vi med paraplyer.” (Should it rain, we’ll bring umbrellas.)
7. Using “enten … eller” in complex sentences: “Enten kommer hun i morgen, eller så må vi utsette møtet.” (Either she comes tomorrow, or we’ll have to postpone the meeting.)

Mastering these more advanced constructions will give your Norwegian a more natural and sophisticated feel. Don’t be afraid to experiment with these in your conversations and writing!

Conclusion and Next Steps

Congratulations! You’ve now gained a comprehensive understanding of subordinating conjunctions and complex sentences in Norwegian. From basic structures to more advanced usage, you’ve explored the intricacies of this important aspect of Norwegian grammar.

Remember, mastering these concepts takes time and practice. Here are some suggestions for your next steps:

1. Regular Practice: Make it a point to use subordinating conjunctions in your daily Norwegian conversations or writing. The more you use them, the more natural they’ll become.
2. Read Extensively: Expose yourself to authentic Norwegian texts – newspapers, novels, or online articles. Pay attention to how native speakers use complex sentences in their writing.
3. Listen Actively: Watch Norwegian TV shows, podcasts, or YouTube videos. Try to identify the use of subordinating conjunctions in spoken Norwegian.
4. Write Regularly: Keep a journal in Norwegian, challenging yourself to use a variety of complex sentences in your entries.
5. Seek Feedback: If possible, have a native Norwegian speaker or a language teacher review your writing or speech. They can provide valuable insights on your use of complex sentences.
6. Join Language Exchange Groups: Participate in language exchange programs where you can practice your skills with native Norwegian speakers.
7. Consider Formal Classes: If you’re looking for structured learning and expert guidance, consider enrolling in Norwegian language classes. At NLS Norwegian Language School in Oslo, we offer comprehensive courses that cover these advanced grammar concepts and more. You can find more information and sign up for our group Norwegian classes at https://nlsnorwegian.no/group-norwegian-classes/.

Remember, language learning is a journey, not a destination. Each step you take in mastering these grammatical structures brings you closer to fluency in Norwegian. Keep challenging yourself, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes – they’re an essential part of the learning process.

Whether you’re learning Norwegian for personal interest, professional development, or to connect with Norwegian culture, mastering subordinating conjunctions and complex sentences will significantly enhance your language skills. It opens up new possibilities for expressing nuanced ideas and engaging in more sophisticated conversations