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In general, the word order of Danish is the same as English: Subject + Verb + Object. However, the word order is slightly different from English when something other than the subject of the verb begins the sentence. In declarative sentences, the main verb is always in the second position (but not necessarily the second word!). For example, if a sentence begins with an adverb or an object, the verb will be the second element in the sentence, and the subject will come after the verb. Then any other forms of verbs (such as participles or infinitives) will come after the subject.
Adverb or Object | Main Verb | Subject | (Participle / Infinitive) | Translation |
I morgen | tager | jeg | til Danmark | I'm going to Denmark tomorrow. |
I butikken | køber | jeg | brød | I buy bread in the store. |
In sentences that begin with a subordinate clause, the second (independent) clause will have inversion of the verb and subject. The subordinate clause is the first element in the sentence, so the verb must be second, and the subject is third.
Subordinate Clause | Main Verb | Subject | Rest of Sentence | Translation |
Da jeg var ung | boede | jeg | i Danmark. | When I was young, I lived in Denmark. |
Nu hvor hun er kommet | kan | vi | begynde | Now that she's arrived we can begin. |
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