Exploring Norwegian Grammar

Page 20

There are also other contexts in which Norwegians have a tendency not to use any articles: Jeg tar buss til jobben. Kjører du bil? Vi skal på fest. De har fått katt. Jeg har kjøpt leilighet.

I take the bus to work. Do you drive? We are going to a party. They have got a cat. I have bought a flat.

In most cases, using these expressions with an article would still be acceptable. In a few rare situations, Norwegian uses an article when English does not: Jeg trenger et råd. For et vær! Det er en god nyhet!

I need some advice. What weather we're having! That's good news!

2.3 Plural Norwegian uses a suffix to indicate the plural. Most words will end in -er in the plural indefinite form. If the word happens to end in an -e, that -e is removed before the suffix -er in the plural:

Main pattern M: en gutt – gutter en konge – konger a boy – boys, a king – kings F: ei dør – dører ei jente – jenter a door – doors, a girl – girls N: et vindu – vinduer et eple – epler a window – windows an apple – apples As ever, there are alternatives to this main rule. Two patterns are common:

Other patterns

Neuter nouns of only one syllable will normally have no suffix at all in the indefinite plural form: et hus – hus et land – land

et skjerf – skjerf et ord – ord

a house – houses, a scarf – scarves a country – countries, a word – words

Nouns that end in -er and describe people and their nationalities or professions, will get an -e in the plural: en amerikaner– amerikanere en tysker – tyskere en baker – bakere en lærer – lærere 20

an American – Americans a German – Germans a baker – bakers a teacher – teachers


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
Exploring Norwegian Grammar by Cappelen Damm - Issuu