Understanding Gerund and Infinitive Forms in Norwegian Grammar

What are Gerund and Infinitive Forms?

In any language, understanding verb forms such as gerunds and infinitives is key to constructing accurate and meaningful sentences. While English speakers might be used to distinct rules for these forms, Norwegian offers a refreshing approach that simplifies learning for beginners.

Norwegian Gerund Form

Interestingly, Norwegian does not have a dedicated gerund form. Unlike English, where the gerund ends in -ing, Norwegian relies on using infinitive verb forms or other structures to express actions often represented by gerunds in English.

Norwegian Infinitive Form

In Norwegian, the infinitive form of a verb usually comes with the particle å, similar to 'to' in English. For example, å spise translates to "to eat" and å lese means "to read." Understanding when to use infinitives is important for proper sentence construction.

When to Use the Infinitive Form

Infinitives in Norwegian are used after certain modal verbs and in expressions where you're describing an intention, like Jeg liker å lese (I like to read). Additionally, infinitives follow verbs indicating a desire or requirement, such as ønske (to wish) and bør (should).

• Examples include:
  • Jeg har lyst til å dra (I want to go)
  • Jeg må spise (I must eat)

Common Mistakes and Tips

A common mistake made by English speakers learning Norwegian is overusing or misplacing infinitives based on English patterns. A useful tip is to always identify whether an infinitive follows verbs indicating needs, desires, or modal intents.