SetningsstrukturA1

Subordinate clauses with 'fordi'

Using 'fordi' (because) to give reasons. 'ikke' comes BEFORE the verb in 'fordi' clauses.

Learning Goal

I can give reasons using 'fordi' and correctly place 'ikke' before the verb in subordinate clauses.

Exam Skills:LeseforståelseLytteforståelseMuntligSkriftlig

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?

Leddsetninger med «fordi»

«Fordi» (= because) introduserer en leddsetning som forklarer årsaken.

SetningOversettelse
Jeg er glad fordi sola skinner.I am happy because the sun is shining.
Han er sliten fordi han jobbet mye.He is tired because he worked a lot.

Viktig: «ikke» i leddsetning

I leddsetninger plasseres «ikke» (not) foran det finitte verbet:

Feil ✗Riktig ✓
…fordi jeg snakker ikke norsk…fordi jeg ikke snakker norsk
…fordi hun er ikke her…fordi hun ikke er her

🇬🇧 Placing 'ikke' after the verb inside 'fordi' clause. 🇷🇺 Same error — negation must come before the verb. 🇨🇿 Confusing 'fordi' with 'for'.

Common Error Patterns

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'.

Practice in course

Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises

A1 Course
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