Complex Passive Constructions
Komplekse passiver
Beyond basic passives, C1 Norwegian uses bli-passive with modal verbs ('kan bli gjennomført'), s-passive in formal/legal contexts ('vedtas', 'behandles'), and passive infinitive constructions. These appear heavily in official documents, laws, and academic writing.
Rule
Modal + bli + past participle | Verb stem + -s (present) | å bli + past participle
Examples
Forslaget kan bli vedtatt i morgen.
The proposal may be adopted tomorrow.
Søknader behandles innen seks uker.
Applications are processed within six weeks.
Prosjektet forventes å bli ferdigstilt innen 2027.
The project is expected to be completed by 2027.
Loven ble vedtatt etter at den hadde blitt grundig debattert.
The law was passed after it had been thoroughly debated.
Rapporten burde ha blitt offentliggjort tidligere.
The report should have been published earlier.
Det kreves at alle dokumenter signeres før innsending.
It is required that all documents be signed before submission.
Tiltakene vil kunne bli evaluert når tilstrekkelig data foreligger.
The measures may be evaluated when sufficient data are available.
Common Mistake
Forslaget kan vedtas bli i morgen.
Forslaget kan bli vedtatt i morgen.
Mixing up the order of modal + bli + participle. With bli-passive and a modal, the order is: modal verb + bli + past participle.
English vs Norwegian
| English | Norsk |
|---|---|
| The proposal may be adopted tomorrow. | Forslaget kan bli vedtatt i morgen. |
| Applications are processed within six weeks. | Søknader behandles innen seks uker. |
| The project is expected to be completed by 2027. | Prosjektet forventes å bli ferdigstilt innen 2027. |
| The law was passed after it had been thoroughly debated. | Loven ble vedtatt etter at den hadde blitt grundig debattert. |
| The report should have been published earlier. | Rapporten burde ha blitt offentliggjort tidligere. |
| It is required that all documents be signed before submission. | Det kreves at alle dokumenter signeres før innsending. |
| The measures may be evaluated when sufficient data are available. | Tiltakene vil kunne bli evaluert når tilstrekkelig data foreligger. |
English
The proposal may be adopted tomorrow.
Norsk
Forslaget kan bli vedtatt i morgen.
English
Applications are processed within six weeks.
Norsk
Søknader behandles innen seks uker.
English
The project is expected to be completed by 2027.
Norsk
Prosjektet forventes å bli ferdigstilt innen 2027.
English
The law was passed after it had been thoroughly debated.
Norsk
Loven ble vedtatt etter at den hadde blitt grundig debattert.
English
The report should have been published earlier.
Norsk
Rapporten burde ha blitt offentliggjort tidligere.
English
It is required that all documents be signed before submission.
Norsk
Det kreves at alle dokumenter signeres før innsending.
English
The measures may be evaluated when sufficient data are available.
Norsk
Tiltakene vil kunne bli evaluert når tilstrekkelig data foreligger.