Source: Linnea, OLS Community Manager
Like any language, Swedish grammar can be tricky, especially for learners. Here are some of the most common grammar mistakes people make when learning or speaking Swedish:
1. Incorrect Word Order
Mistake: Placing the subject before the verb in questions.
Incorrect: "Du har kommit?" (You have come?)
Correct: "Har du kommit?" (Have you come?)
Explanation: In questions, the verb should come before the subject.
2. En vs. Ett
Mistake: Using the wrong indefinite article.
Incorrect: "En hus" (A house)
Correct: "Ett hus" (A house)
Explanation: Swedish nouns have two grammatical genders, common (en) and neuter (ett), and the correct article must match the noun's gender.
3. Definite Forms
Mistake: Incorrect use of definite forms.
Incorrect: "Jag ska gå till hus." (I will go to house.)
Correct: "Jag ska gå till huset." (I will go to the house.)
Explanation: Swedish nouns often use a suffix rather than a separate article in English to indicate the definite form.
4. Plural Forms
Mistake: Using incorrect plural endings.
Incorrect: "Tre katt" (Three cats)
Correct: "Tre katter" (Three cats)
Explanation: Plurals in Swedish can be tricky because they vary depending on the noun.
5. Prepositions
Mistake: Incorrect use of prepositions.
Incorrect: "Jag är bra på matematik." (I am good on math.)
Correct: "Jag är bra i matematik." (I am good at math.)
Explanation: Prepositions in Swedish don't always translate directly from English and must be learned in context.
6. Negation
Mistake: Placing the negation in the wrong place.
Incorrect: "Jag kan inte dansa." (I not can dance.)
Correct: "Jag kan inte dansa." (I cannot dance.)
Explanation: The word "inte" (not) usually follows the verb in Swedish.
7. Adjective Agreement
Mistake: Not making adjectives agree in gender and number with the noun.
Incorrect: "En stor hus" (A big house)
Correct: "Ett stort hus" (A big house)
Explanation: Adjectives must agree in gender (en or ett) and number (singular or plural) with the noun they describe.
8. Omission of Subject Pronouns
Mistake: Leaving out the subject pronoun.
Incorrect: "Kan gå nu." (Can go now.)
Correct: "Jag kan gå nu." (I can go now.)
Explanation: Unlike in some languages, Swedish requires the subject pronoun to be explicitly stated.
9. Double Negatives
Mistake: Using double negatives.
Incorrect: "Jag gör ingenting aldrig." (I do nothing never.)
Correct: "Jag gör aldrig något." (I never do anything.)
Explanation: Swedish, like English, typically avoids double negatives.
10. Using "att" Incorrectly
Mistake: Misusing the infinitive marker "att."
Incorrect: "Jag vill att äta." (I want to eat.)
Correct: "Jag vill äta." (I want to eat.)
Explanation: "Att" is used before infinitive verbs, but it's omitted after modal verbs like "vill" (want), "ska" (shall), and "kan" (can).
These common mistakes can be overcome with practice and exposure to the language. Paying close attention to word order, noun gender, verb forms, and prepositions will help learners achieve greater fluency in Swedish.
Linnea, OLS Community Manager – Swedish