Time expressions for the past
Time expressions used with the past tense: i går, forrige uke, i fjor, for...siden.
I can use common past time expressions like i går, forrige uke, i fjor, and for...siden.
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Jeg var på kino i går.
I was at the cinema yesterday.
For tre år siden bodde hun i Trondheim.
Three years ago she lived in Trondheim.
Vi reiste til Spania forrige sommer.
We travelled to Spain last summer.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
| Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
| i går | yesterday |
| forrige uke | last week |
| i fjor | last year |
| for ... siden | ... ago |
| tidligere | earlier / previously |
🇬🇧 Translating 'last year' as 'sist år' — use i fjor. 🇷🇺 Omitting time markers. 🇨🇿 Confusing forrige with 'minulý'.
Common Error Patterns
Used incorrect or non-Norwegian time expression (e.g. sist år instead of i fjor)
Used a past time expression but kept the verb in present tense
Jeg var på kino i går.
I was at the cinema yesterday.
i går = yesterday, always with past tense
For tre år siden bodde hun i Trondheim.
Three years ago she lived in Trondheim.
for...siden = ...ago, verb moves to position 2
Vi reiste til Spania forrige sommer.
We travelled to Spain last summer.
forrige + time noun = last [period]
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises