Position of 'ikke' in main and subordinate clauses
Can negate sentences using 'ikke' correctly
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.
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises
Practice ExercisesThe 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
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