What is a Subordinate Clause in Danish?
A subordinate clause, or “bisætning” in Danish, is a part of a sentence that cannot stand alone. It depends on the main clause for its full meaning. Subordinate clauses often begin with conjunctions such as “fordi” (because), “at” (that), “hvis” (if), “når” (when), and others.
Example of a Main Clause and Subordinate Clause
Main clause: Jeg går hjem. (I am going home.)
Subordinate clause: fordi det regner. (because it is raining.)
Full sentence: Jeg går hjem, fordi det regner. (I am going home because it is raining.)
Standard Word Order in Subordinate Clauses
In main clauses, Danish often follows Verb-Second (V2) word order, meaning the verb usually comes second in the sentence. However, in subordinate clauses, the word order is different. The verb comes after the subject, resulting in a Subject-Verb (SV) order.
Subordinate Clause Word Order Example
Main clause: Hun spiser ikke kød. (She does not eat meat.)
Subordinate clause: fordi hun ikke spiser kød. (because she does not eat meat.)
Where Does “ikke” Go in Subordinate Clauses?
“Ikke” is the word for “not” in Danish and is used for negation. The placement of “ikke” in subordinate clauses is a common source of confusion for learners. In subordinate clauses, “ikke” typically comes after the subject and before the verb’s non-finite parts or other sentence elements. In other words, “ikke” usually follows the finite verb and the subject directly.
General Word Order Formula
Subordinate conjunction + subject + (adverbs like “ikke”) + verb + other sentence elements
Examples of “ikke” in Subordinate Clauses
Let’s look at a few examples to clarify:
- Jeg tror, at han ikke kommer. (I think that he is not coming.)
- Hun siger, at hun ikke kan lide fisk. (She says that she does not like fish.)
- Vi bliver hjemme, fordi vi ikke har bil. (We stay home because we do not have a car.)
Comparing Main Clause vs. Subordinate Clause
Main clause: Jeg kan ikke lide kaffe. (I do not like coffee.)
Subordinate clause: fordi jeg ikke kan lide kaffe. (because I do not like coffee.)
Exceptions and Special Cases
Occasionally, adverbs or other sentence elements may change the position of “ikke” slightly, but in most cases, it remains after the subject. If there are auxiliary verbs involved, “ikke” comes after the finite verb and before the non-finite verb:
Han siger, at han ikke har spist. (He says that he has not eaten.)
Tips for Practicing Word Order with “ikke”
- Read Danish texts and notice how “ikke” is used in different clauses.
- Practice by writing your own sentences, both main and subordinate clauses, using “ikke.”
- Use language learning platforms like Talkpal, which provide instant feedback on your sentences and help you internalize correct word order.
- Listen to native speakers and repeat sentences to get a feel for the natural rhythm and word order in Danish.
Summary
Mastering the word order for subordinate clauses with “ikke” is a key step in advancing your Danish proficiency. Remember that in subordinate clauses, “ikke” follows the subject and usually comes before the verb’s non-finite elements or other sentence parts. Practicing with real-life examples and utilizing resources like Talkpal can help you get comfortable with these patterns. With consistent practice, you’ll soon find that forming complex and nuanced sentences in Danish becomes second nature.
