Clauses & Subordinating Conjunctions

This is widely considered the most important grammatical hurdle to clear in order to reach an intermediate level of Norwegian. Mastering clauses (setninger) and how conjunctions change word order is the key to sounding fluent.

Here is an in-depth summary of Norwegian clauses and subordinating conjunctions.

1. The Two Types of Clauses

In Norwegian, the rules for word order change completely depending on whether you are in a Main Clause or a Subordinate Clause.

A. Main Clause (Helsetning)

A main clause is a complete sentence that makes sense on its own.

  • Rule: It follows the V2 Rule (Verb Second). The verb is always the second element.

  • Adverb Placement: Sentence adverbs (like ikke, aldri, alltid) come AFTER the verb.

  • Han kommer ikke på festen. (He is not coming to the party.)

B. Subordinate Clause (Leddsetning)

A subordinate clause is an incomplete sentence. It provides extra information (time, cause, condition) to the main clause and cannot stand alone. It always starts with a Subordinating Conjunction.

  • Rule: It does NOT follow the V2 rule. The word order is fixed: Subjunction + Subject + Adverb + Verb.

  • Adverb Placement: Sentence adverbs come BEFORE the verb.

  • ...fordi han ikke kommer på festen. (...because he is not coming to the party.)

2. The "Ikke" Test

The easiest way to tell if you are in a main or subordinate clause is to see where the word ikke (not) lands.

Clause Type

Word Order

Example

Main

Verb + Ikke

Jeg spiser ikke kjøtt. (I don't eat meat.)

Subordinate

Ikke + Verb

Han vet at jeg ikke spiser kjøtt. (He knows that I don't eat meat.)

3. Common Subordinating Conjunctions (Subjunksjoner)

These are the trigger words that start a subordinate clause.

Logical Connectors:

  • at (that) – Used for indirect speech. (Han sa at han var syk.)

  • fordi (because) – Explains cause. (Jeg spiser fordi jeg er sulten.)

  • selv om (even though) – Explains contrast. (Jeg går ut selv om det regner.)

  • siden (since) – Explains cause. (Vi drar siden det er sent.)

Conditional Connectors:

  • hvis (if) – Used for conditions. (Vi griller hvis været er fint.)

  • om (if/whether) – Used mostly for indirect questions where the answer is yes/no. (Jeg vet ikke om han kommer.)

Time Connectors:

  • mens (while) – Two things happening at once.

  • før (before)

  • etter at (after)

4. The "Da" vs. "Når" Rule (The Time Trap)

Both words mean "when," but you cannot use them interchangeably.

  • Den gang DA (The time THEN): Use DA for a single specific event in the past.

  • Example: "Da jeg var liten, likte jeg is." (When I was little [one specific period], I liked ice cream.)

  • Hver gang NÅR (Every time WHEN): Use NÅR for repeated actions (past or present) and future actions.

  • Example (Future): "Jeg ringer deg når jeg kommer hjem." (I'll call you when I get home.)

  • Example (Habit): "Når det regner, blir jeg våt." (Whenever it rains, I get wet.)

5. Sentence Structure: Moving the Clause

You can put the subordinate clause at the end of the sentence or at the beginning. This affects the Main Clause, but never the subordinate clause itself.

Scenario A: Main + Subordinate (Normal Order)

If the main clause is first, everything is standard.

  • Jeg blir hjemme (Main) + hvis det regner (Sub).

  • = "Jeg blir hjemme hvis det regner."

Scenario B: Subordinate + Main (Inversion)

If you start the sentence with the subordinate clause, that entire clause counts as Position 1. Because of the V2 rule, the Verb of the main clause must come immediately after it (Position 2).

  • Hvis det regner (Position 1) + blir (Verb / Pos 2) + jeg hjemme (Subject / Pos 3).

  • = "Hvis det regner, blir jeg hjemme."

Tip: If you start a sentence with a subjunction (like Hvis, Når, Da, Selv om), always remember: Comma, then Verb.