A1 Questions & Negation 5 min read かんたん

Negating Sentences

Just put 'inte' after the verb and you're good to go!
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

In Swedish, you make a sentence negative by placing 'inte' immediately after the main verb.

  • Place 'inte' after the verb: Jag äter inte (I do not eat).
  • In questions, 'inte' follows the subject: Äter du inte? (Are you not eating?).
  • Never use double negatives; Swedish uses 'inte' for all standard negations.
Subject + Verb + inte + Object

Overview

## Overview
Negation in Swedish is refreshingly simple compared to many other languages. You don't need 'do-support' like in English (we don't say 'I do not eat' as 'Jag gör inte äta'). Instead, you simply take your affirmative sentence and insert the word inte right after the main verb.
This rule is consistent across almost all tenses, making it one of the first things you should master. Whether you are talking about what you are doing, what you like, or where you are, inte is your best friend. It acts as a universal 'no' for your verbs.
Understanding this placement is crucial because Swedish word order is quite strict. If you put inte in the wrong place, the sentence might sound like a puzzle to a native speaker. Keep it simple: Subject, Verb, inte.
## How to Form It
To form a negative sentence, follow this pattern: [Subject] + [Verb] + [inte].
Affirmative: Jag läser boken. (I read the book.)
Negative: Jag läser inte boken. (I do not read the book.)
In questions, the word order changes because the verb moves to the front, but inte stays after the subject:
Question: Läser du? (Do you read?)
Negative Question: Läser du inte? (Do you not read?)
This structure remains stable regardless of the verb's tense. Whether you are using present tense or past tense, the position of inte relative to the verb remains the same.
## When to Use It
You will use this in every facet of life. When ordering food, you might say 'Jag vill inte ha lök' (I don't want onions). When texting, 'Jag kan inte komma' (I can't come) is a standard way to decline an invitation.
In a job interview, you might describe your skills by saying what you don't do or what you aren't. It is the backbone of expressing boundaries and preferences. Because it is so frequent, you should practice saying these sentences aloud until the rhythm feels natural.
It is the difference between agreeing to something and politely declining.
## Common Mistakes
The most common mistake is trying to translate English 'do-support' directly. Learners often try to say 'Jag gör inte äta', which is incorrect. Another mistake is placing inte before the verb, which sounds very unnatural.
Finally, some learners try to use double negatives (like 'Jag äter inte ingenting'), which is grammatically incorrect in Swedish. Stick to the 'Verb + inte' rule and you will avoid these pitfalls. Always check if you have included an unnecessary 'do' equivalent.
## How It's Different From...
It is different from English because English requires the auxiliary verb 'do'. In Swedish, the verb carries the negation itself. It is also different from languages like Spanish or Italian, where you might place the negation before the verb (e.g., 'No hablo').
In Swedish, the verb must come first in the sequence, followed by the negation particle. This makes Swedish word order more rigid but also more predictable once you learn the pattern.
## CEFR-Level Explanations
A1: In Swedish, we use the word 'inte' to say 'no'. Put it after the verb. For example, 'Jag äter inte' means 'I do not eat'. It is very easy to use!
A2: Negation in Swedish is straightforward. You place the particle 'inte' after the main verb in a statement. If you are asking a question, the verb moves to the front, but 'inte' follows the subject. This rule applies to most verbs and helps you express preferences or decline offers clearly.
B1: The negation particle 'inte' is the primary tool for negating predicates in Swedish. Unlike English, which utilizes 'do-support', Swedish attaches the negation directly to the finite verb. When dealing with subordinate clauses, the placement of 'inte' shifts to before the verb, which is a crucial distinction for intermediate learners to master to sound fluent.
B2: Negation in Swedish involves a systematic placement of the particle 'inte'. In main clauses, 'inte' follows the finite verb. However, in subordinate clauses, the word order is inverted, placing 'inte' before the verb.
This syntactic variation is a hallmark of Swedish grammar and distinguishes the learner from the native speaker. Understanding this placement is essential for complex sentence construction.
C1: The syntax of negation in Swedish is governed by the V2 (verb-second) rule in main clauses, necessitating the post-verbal placement of 'inte'. Conversely, in embedded clauses, the negation particle precedes the verb, reflecting the underlying SOV structure of Germanic languages. Mastery of this placement is vital for nuanced expression and accurate formal writing.
C2: Swedish negation exhibits a fascinating interplay between the V2 constraint and the placement of the negation particle 'inte'. While main clauses enforce a post-verbal position, subordinate clauses demonstrate a pre-verbal placement, a feature shared with other North Germanic languages. This structural dichotomy is fundamental to the language's rhythmic and syntactic integrity, requiring near-native intuition for perfect execution.

Meanings

The word 'inte' is the standard particle used to negate verbs, adjectives, and adverbs in Swedish.

1

Verb Negation

Negating the action of the sentence.

“Hon springer inte.”

“Vi sover inte.”

Negation Pattern

Subject Verb Negation Object
Jag äter inte äpple
Du läser inte boken
Han sover inte nu
Vi jobbar inte idag
Ni talar inte svenska
De ser inte filmen

Reference Table

Reference table for Negating Sentences
Form Structure Example
Affirmative S + V + O Jag äter äpple
Negative S + V + inte + O Jag äter inte äpple
Question V + S + O? Äter du äpple?
Negative Question V + S + inte + O? Äter du inte äpple?
Past Negative S + V(past) + inte + O Jag åt inte äpple
Future Negative S + ska + V + inte + O Jag ska inte äta äpple

フォーマル度スペクトル

フォーマル
Jag kommer inte.

Jag kommer inte. (General)

ニュートラル
Jag kommer inte.

Jag kommer inte. (General)

カジュアル
Jag kommer inte.

Jag kommer inte. (General)

スラング
Kommer inte.

Kommer inte. (General)

Negation Logic

Negation

Placement

  • Main Clause After Verb
  • Subordinate Clause Before Verb

English vs Swedish Negation

English
I do not eat Do-support
Swedish
Jag äter inte Post-verbal

Where to put 'inte'?

1

Is it a main clause?

YES
Place after verb
NO
Place before verb

Negation Contexts

🍎

Daily

  • • Food
  • • Work
  • • Sleep
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Examples by Level

1

Jag dricker inte mjölk.

I do not drink milk.

2

Han läser inte boken.

He does not read the book.

3

Vi sover inte nu.

We are not sleeping now.

4

De äter inte fisk.

They do not eat fish.

1

Varför äter du inte?

Why are you not eating?

2

Jag vill inte gå ut.

I do not want to go out.

3

Det regnar inte idag.

It is not raining today.

4

Hon jobbar inte på lördagar.

She does not work on Saturdays.

1

Jag visste inte att du var här.

I did not know you were here.

2

Om det inte regnar, går vi ut.

If it does not rain, we go out.

3

Han sa att han inte kunde komma.

He said he could not come.

4

Det är inte så enkelt som det verkar.

It is not as simple as it seems.

1

Det är viktigt att man inte glömmer nycklarna.

It is important that one does not forget the keys.

2

Trots att han inte var förberedd, lyckades han.

Although he was not prepared, he succeeded.

3

Jag har inte sett filmen än.

I have not seen the movie yet.

4

Det finns inte mycket att göra.

There is not much to do.

1

Hade han inte varit så envis, hade vi hunnit.

Had he not been so stubborn, we would have made it.

2

Det är inte förrän nu jag förstår.

It is not until now that I understand.

3

Man bör inte underskatta vikten av vila.

One should not underestimate the importance of rest.

4

Det vore inte lämpligt att svara nu.

It would not be appropriate to answer now.

1

Det är inte blott en fråga om tid, utan om vilja.

It is not merely a question of time, but of will.

2

Vore det inte för hans insats, hade vi misslyckats.

Were it not for his effort, we would have failed.

3

Det kan inte nog betonas hur viktigt detta är.

It cannot be emphasized enough how important this is.

4

Hon kunde inte annat än att hålla med.

She could do nothing but agree.

Easily Confused

Negating Sentences 対 Inte vs. Ingen

Learners mix up 'inte' (not) and 'ingen' (no/none).

Negating Sentences 対 Inte vs. Aldrig

Learners use 'inte' when they mean 'never'.

Negating Sentences 対 Inte vs. Ej

Learners use 'ej' in casual speech.

よくある間違い

✗

Jag gör inte äta

✓

Jag äter inte

Do not use 'göra' for negation.
✗

Inte jag äter

✓

Jag äter inte

Inte must follow the verb.
✗

Jag äter inte ingenting

✓

Jag äter ingenting

Double negatives are incorrect.
✗

Jag äter inte inte

✓

Jag äter inte

Only one negation particle is needed.
✗

Äter inte du?

✓

Äter du inte?

In questions, inte follows the subject.
✗

Jag vill inte att han inte kommer

✓

Jag vill inte att han kommer

Avoid unnecessary negations.
✗

Han är inte glad inte

✓

Han är inte glad

Only one negation.
✗

Jag vet att han inte äter inte

✓

Jag vet att han inte äter

Subordinate clause negation.
✗

Han sa inte att han inte kommer

✓

Han sa att han inte kommer

Placement of negation in reported speech.
✗

Det är inte så inte

✓

Det är inte så

Redundant negation.
✗

Vore det inte för att han inte kom

✓

Vore det inte för att han kom

Complex conditional negation.
✗

Det kan inte inte vara sant

✓

Det kan inte vara osant

Double negation for emphasis is rare.
✗

Han visste inte om han inte skulle gå

✓

Han visste inte om han skulle gå

Negation in indirect questions.

Sentence Patterns

Jag ___ inte ___.

Varför ___ du inte ___?

Jag visste inte att ___ ___ ___.

Det är inte ___ som ___.

Real World Usage

Texting constant

Kan inte komma.

Ordering food very common

Jag vill inte ha lök.

Job interview common

Jag har inte erfarenhet av det.

Travel common

Jag förstår inte.

Social media very common

Gillar inte!

Delivery apps common

Vill inte ha kvitto.

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💡

Keep it simple

Don't overthink it. Just put 'inte' after the verb.
⚠️

Avoid 'do'

Swedish does not use 'do' to negate.
🎯

Subordinate clauses

Remember that 'inte' moves before the verb in subordinate clauses.
💬

Be direct

Using 'inte' is normal and polite in Swedish.

Smart Tips

Just add 'inte' after it.

Jag äter. → Jag äter inte.

Move 'inte' before the verb.

Jag vet att han äter inte. → Jag vet att han inte äter.

Use 'ej' instead of 'inte'.

Det är inte tillåtet. → Det är ej tillåtet.

Keep 'inte' after the subject.

Äter inte du? → Äter du inte?

発音

/ˈɪntɛ/

Inte

Pronounced as 'in-te', with a short 'e' at the end.

Falling

Jag äter inte ↘

Standard statement of fact.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Inte is the 'in-between' for the verb and the rest of the sentence.

Visual Association

Imagine a wall (the verb) and a gate (inte) that stops the action from passing through.

Rhyme

When the verb is done, add 'inte' for fun.

Story

Sven is a very positive guy. He always says 'Jag gör' (I do). But today he is grumpy. He puts 'inte' after every verb. 'Jag äter inte, jag sover inte, jag jobbar inte!'

Word Web

inteverbnegationmeningsvenskaordföljd

チャレンジ

Write 5 sentences about things you are NOT doing right now.

文化メモ

Swedes value directness. Using 'inte' is seen as clear and honest.

The word 'inte' comes from Old Swedish 'intet', meaning 'nothing'.

Conversation Starters

“

Äter du kött?

“

Vill du gå på bio?

“

Förstår du vad han säger?

“

Har du sett den nya filmen?

Journal Prompts

Write about three things you do not like to eat.
Describe your weekend plans and what you are not doing.
Write about a time you could not do something.
Reflect on a decision you did not make.
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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank.

Jag ___ inte kaffe.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: dricker
Verb must be conjugated.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Jag inte äter äpple.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Jag äter inte äpple
Inte follows the verb.
Choose the correct sentence. 選択問題

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Jag äter inte
No do-support.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Jag äter inte fisk
Standard order.
Translate to Swedish. 翻訳

I do not sleep.

Answer starts with: Jag...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Jag sover inte
Correct structure.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Äter du kött? B: Nej, ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: jag äter inte
Verb first.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

Subject: Hon, Verb: läser, Negation: inte, Object: tidningen

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Hon läser inte tidningen
Correct order.
Sort the words. Grammar Sorting

Place 'inte' correctly.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Jag jobbar inte idag
Inte after verb.

Score: /8

練習問題

8 exercises
Fill in the blank.

Jag ___ inte kaffe.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: dricker
Verb must be conjugated.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Jag inte äter äpple.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Jag äter inte äpple
Inte follows the verb.
Choose the correct sentence. 選択問題

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Jag äter inte
No do-support.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

inte / äter / jag / fisk

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Jag äter inte fisk
Standard order.
Translate to Swedish. 翻訳

I do not sleep.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Jag sover inte
Correct structure.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Äter du kött? B: Nej, ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: jag äter inte
Verb first.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

Subject: Hon, Verb: läser, Negation: inte, Object: tidningen

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Hon läser inte tidningen
Correct order.
Sort the words. Grammar Sorting

Place 'inte' correctly.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Jag jobbar inte idag
Inte after verb.

Score: /8

よくある質問 (8)

No, 'inte' is an invariable particle.

Yes, 'Han är inte glad'.

Yes, 'Äter du inte?'.

'Ej' is a formal synonym for 'inte'.

No, that is a double negative.

No, it stays the same.

Yes, but it moves before the verb.

Use 'aldrig'.

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In Other Languages

Spanish partial

No + verb

Placement relative to the verb.

French low

Ne + verb + pas

Number of particles.

German high

Nicht

German has more complex placement rules.

Japanese partial

Verb + nai

Morphological vs. particle negation.

Arabic low

La + verb

Prefix vs. independent particle.

Chinese low

Bu + verb

Pre-verbal vs. post-verbal.

Previous
Placement of Adverbs
Next
Expressing 'No' and 'Not'
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