Adverb Placement
Adverbplassering
In main clauses, adverbs like 'alltid', 'ofte', 'aldri', 'ikke' go AFTER the verb. In subordinate clauses, they go BEFORE the verb. This is a key structural difference between clause types.
Rule
Main: S + V + adv + O | Sub: conj + S + adv + V + O
Examples
Jeg spiser alltid frokost.
I always eat breakfast.
...fordi jeg alltid spiser frokost.
...because I always eat breakfast.
Hun har aldri vært i India.
She has never been to India.
Common Mistake
Jeg alltid spiser frokost. (main clause)
Jeg spiser alltid frokost.
In main clauses, the adverb follows the verb. Placing it before the verb is only correct in subordinate clauses.
English vs Norwegian
| English | Norsk |
|---|---|
| I always eat breakfast. | Jeg spiser alltid frokost. |
| ...because I always eat breakfast. | ...fordi jeg alltid spiser frokost. |
| She has never been to India. | Hun har aldri vært i India. |
English
I always eat breakfast.
Norsk
Jeg spiser alltid frokost.
English
...because I always eat breakfast.
Norsk
...fordi jeg alltid spiser frokost.
English
She has never been to India.
Norsk
Hun har aldri vært i India.