Using 'fordi' (because) to give reasons. 'ikke' comes BEFORE the verb in 'fordi' clauses.
I can give reasons using 'fordi' and correctly place 'ikke' before the verb in subordinate clauses.
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Jeg er glad fordi sola skinner.
I am happy because the sun is shining.
Jeg lærer norsk fordi jeg ikke snakker det ennå.
I am learning Norwegian because I don't speak it yet.
Han sover fordi han er trøtt.
He is sleeping because he is tired.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Fordi means "because". It introduces a subordinate clause that explains why:
| Norwegian | English |
|---|---|
| Jeg er glad fordi sola skinner. | I'm happy because the sun is shining. |
| Han er sliten fordi han jobbet mye i går. | He is tired because he worked a lot yesterday. |
| Vi blir hjemme fordi det snør. | We're staying in because it's snowing. |
The answer to Hvorfor? (Why?) can start with fordi on its own, as in English: Hvorfor lærer du norsk? - Fordi kjæresten min er fra Trondheim.
Inside a fordi clause, ikke and other sentence adverbs (alltid, aldri, ofte, bare) come before the verb, not after it as in a main clause:
| Wrong | Right | English |
|---|---|---|
| *...fordi jeg snakker ikke norsk | ...fordi jeg ikke snakker norsk | ...because I don't speak Norwegian |
| *...fordi hun er ikke her | ...fordi hun ikke er her | ...because she isn't here |
| *...fordi han drikker aldri kaffe | ...fordi han aldri drikker kaffe | ...because he never drinks coffee |
This is the most common error English speakers make with fordi. You will hear Norwegians themselves slip in fast speech, especially in a reason given as a separate answer, but in writing the rule holds.
Written Norwegian has a second word for "because", for, which joins two main clauses, so the words after it keep main-clause order: Vi blir hjemme, for det snør. It is closer to English "for" in "we stayed in, for it was snowing". When in doubt, use fordi with the adverb before the verb.
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises
Practice Exercises🇬🇧 Placing 'ikke' after the verb inside 'fordi' clause. 🇷🇺 Same error — negation must come before the verb. 🇨🇿 Confusing 'fordi' with 'for'.
Placing 'ikke' after the verb in a subordinate clause instead of before it
Confusing conjunction 'fordi' (because) with preposition 'for' (for)
Jeg er glad fordi sola skinner.
I am happy because the sun is shining.
'fordi' introduces the reason clause with normal S-V order.
Jeg lærer norsk fordi jeg ikke snakker det ennå.
I am learning Norwegian because I don't speak it yet.
'ikke' comes BEFORE 'snakker' inside the subordinate clause.
Han sover fordi han er trøtt.
He is sleeping because he is tired.
Simple reason clause after 'fordi'.
The check for this topic is still being prepared
Ready-made hints are free
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises