When is Nægtelse med "ikke" used?

Nægtelse dannes med ikke , som står efter verbet i hovedsætninger.

How is Nægtelse med "ikke" formed?

Obs! I bisætninger kommer 'ikke' FØR verbet: ...fordi jeg ikke taler dansk.

What are common mistakes with Nægtelse med "ikke"?

The position of 'ikke' changes between main and subordinate clauses. 🇬🇧 English: English uses 'don't/doesn't' + base verb. Danish just adds 'ikke' after the verb. 🇷🇺 Russian: 'не' goes before the verb. Danish 'ikke' goes AFTER in main clauses. 🇨🇿 Czech: 'ne-' prefix on verb. Danish uses a separate word 'ikke'. 🇩🇪 German: 'nicht' position is similar to Danish 'ikke'. Both go after verb in main clauses.

Nægtelse med "ikke"

A1 — Sætningsbygning

Position of 'ikke' (not) after the verb in main clauses

Can negate sentences using 'ikke' in correct position

Position of 'ikke' (not) after the verb in main clauses

Examples

Jeg taler ikke tysk, men jeg taler dansk. — I don't speak German, but I speak Danish.
Han har ikke en bil, fordi han ikke kan køre. — He doesn't have a car because he can't drive.
Vi spiser ikke kød. Vi er vegetarer. — We don't eat meat. We are vegetarians.

SætningsbygningA1

Negation with 'ikke'

Position of 'ikke' in main and subordinate clauses

Learning Goal

Can negate sentences using 'ikke' correctly

Exam Skills:LæseforståelseMundtlig produktionSkriftlig produktion

Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?

Jeg taler ikke tysk, men jeg taler dansk.

I don't speak German, but I speak Danish.

Han har ikke en bil, fordi han ikke kan køre.

He doesn't have a car because he can't drive.

Vi spiser ikke kød. Vi er vegetarer.

We don't eat meat. We are vegetarians.

Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?

'Ikke' goes after the verb in main clauses, before the verb in subordinate clauses.

The position of 'ikke' changes between main and subordinate clauses.

🇬🇧 English: English uses 'don't/doesn't' + base verb. Danish just adds 'ikke' after the verb.
🇷🇺 Russian: 'не' goes before the ver

Common Error Patterns

Placing 'ikke' before verb in main clause

In MAIN clauses: verb + ikke. 'Jeg taler ikke', not *'Jeg ikke taler'.

Placing 'ikke' after verb in subordinate clause

In SUBORDINATE clauses: ikke + verb. '...fordi jeg ikke taler', not *'...fordi jeg taler ikke'.

Jeg taler ikke tysk, men jeg taler dansk.

I don't speak German, but I speak Danish.

'Ikke' comes AFTER the verb 'taler'. No 'do/does' auxiliary needed — just verb + ikke.

Han har ikke en bil, fordi han ikke kan køre.

He doesn't have a car because he can't drive.

Main clause: 'har IKKE'. Subordinate clause (fordi): 'IKKE kan' — 'ikke' moves before the verb!

Vi spiser ikke kød. Vi er vegetarer.

We don't eat meat. We are vegetarians.

'Ikke' directly after 'spiser'. Simple and consistent in main clauses.

Practice in course

Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises

A1 Course

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Put it into practice

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Frequently asked questions

When is Nægtelse med "ikke" used?: Nægtelse dannes med ikke , som står efter verbet i hovedsætninger.
How is Nægtelse med "ikke" formed?: Obs! I bisætninger kommer 'ikke' FØR verbet: ...fordi jeg ikke taler dansk.
What are common mistakes with Nægtelse med "ikke"?: The position of 'ikke' changes between main and subordinate clauses. 🇬🇧 English: English uses 'don't/doesn't' + base verb. Danish just adds 'ikke' after the verb. 🇷🇺 Russian: 'не' goes before the verb. Danish 'ikke' goes AFTER in main clauses. 🇨🇿 Czech: 'ne-' prefix on verb. Danish uses a separate word 'ikke'. 🇩🇪 German: 'nicht' position is similar to Danish 'ikke'. Both go after verb in main clauses.