som

§ Don't Overuse 'Som'

Many English speakers learning Swedish tend to overuse 'som' because in English, we often use 'that', 'which', or 'who' for almost every relative clause. In Swedish, 'som' is not always necessary and sometimes even incorrect.

Wrong

Jag läste boken som jag köpte igår. (I read the book that I bought yesterday.)

While this might sound acceptable, it's often more natural and common to omit 'som' when it refers to the object of the relative clause.

Correct

Jag läste boken jag köpte igår. (I read the book I bought yesterday.)

§ 'Som' vs. 'Vilken/Vilket/Vilka'

Another common error is confusing 'som' with 'vilken', 'vilket', or 'vilka'. While both can introduce relative clauses, 'som' is generally used for restrictive clauses (essential information), and 'vilken/vilket/vilka' for non-restrictive clauses (additional, non-essential information). However, even native speakers sometimes mix these up, and in many contexts, 'som' is the safer and more common choice for A2 learners.

When to use 'Som'

'Som' is used for both people and things, and it doesn't change form.

When to use 'Vilken/Vilket/Vilka'

These are more formal and are often used when referring back to a whole clause or a specific noun with more emphasis, and they change based on gender and number (en-words: vilken, ett-words: vilket, plural: vilka).

§ Not Using 'Som' When It's Needed

While we just talked about not overusing 'som', there are crucial times when you absolutely need it. This is usually when 'som' is the subject of the relative clause.

Wrong

Jag har en vän bor i Stockholm. (I have a friend lives in Stockholm.)

This sentence is grammatically incorrect in Swedish, just as it would be in English without 'who' or 'that'.

Correct

Jag har en vän som bor i Stockholm. (I have a friend who lives in Stockholm.)

Here, 'som' is the subject of the verb 'bor' (lives) in the relative clause. You cannot remove it.

§ Positioning of 'Som'

'Som' always comes directly after the noun or pronoun it refers to. Incorrect placement can make your sentence confusing or wrong.

Wrong

Mannen jag såg igår som var lång. (The man I saw yesterday who was tall.)

The 'som' here is separated from 'mannen' (the man) by 'jag såg igår'.

Correct

Mannen som jag såg igår var lång. (The man who I saw yesterday was tall.)

Or, if 'som' is the subject of the relative clause:

Mastering 'som' takes practice. Pay attention to when it acts as the subject of the relative clause (you need it) and when it refers to the object (you can often omit it). Over time, you'll develop a feel for its correct usage.

§ What 'som' means

In Swedish, the word som is a relative pronoun. This means it introduces a relative clause, which is a part of a sentence that gives more information about a noun or pronoun. Think of it like 'who,' 'whom,' 'which,' or 'that' in English. It's a very common and useful word, so understanding it well will help you make more complex sentences.

Definition

used to introduce a relative clause

§ Basic uses of 'som'

You use som to link two parts of a sentence. The relative clause starting with som provides extra details about a noun mentioned earlier in the main clause. It can refer to people or things, so it's quite versatile.

§ 'Som' as a subject or object

One of the great things about som is that it doesn't change its form whether it's referring to a subject or an object in the relative clause. This simplifies things compared to English 'who' (subject) and 'whom' (object).

When som is the subject of the relative clause, it's performing the action:

Here, 'som' refers to 'mannen' (the man), and 'mannen' is doing the talking.

When som is the object of the relative clause, it's receiving the action:

In this case, 'som' refers to 'kvinnan' (the woman), and 'jag' (I) saw 'kvinnan'.

§ 'Som' with prepositions

When a preposition is involved in a relative clause, it typically comes at the end of the clause in Swedish, unlike in English where it can sometimes appear before the relative pronoun.

You would not say "Huset i som jag bor." This is a common mistake for English speakers, so pay attention to it.

§ When to use 'som' vs. other options

While som is the most common and versatile relative pronoun, there are a few other words that can sometimes function similarly, though often with more specific meanings or in more formal contexts.

• Vilken/vilket/vilka (which): These are technically interrogative pronouns (used for questions: 'which one?'), but they can sometimes be used as relative pronouns, especially in more formal writing or when you want to emphasize a choice among a limited set. However, in most everyday situations, som is preferred.

  Staden vilken han kommer ifrån är liten. (The city which he comes from is small.)

  You could easily use som here too: "Staden som han kommer ifrån är liten." For A2 level, stick to som.

• Vem/vilka (who/whom): These are also primarily interrogative pronouns. While vem means 'who' or 'whom,' you almost always use som as the relative pronoun for people.

  Han är mannen som jag träffade igår. (He is the man whom I met yesterday.)

  Using vem here would be incorrect in standard relative clauses.

• No pronoun (omission): As mentioned earlier, English often allows you to omit the relative pronoun, especially when it's the object of the clause. Swedish generally does not. So, don't try to leave out som just because you could in English.

  Filmen som vi såg var bra. (The movie that we saw was good.)

  You would not say "Filmen vi såg var bra." That sounds unnatural to a native speaker.

§ Summary for learners

For A2 learners, your main takeaway should be this: som is your go-to relative pronoun for both people and things, and it covers 'who,' 'whom,' 'which,' and 'that.' Always include it when forming relative clauses. Don't worry too much about vilken/vilket/vilka or vem for relative clauses at this stage; they are more advanced or used in specific contexts. Master som first, and you'll be well on your way to building more complex and descriptive Swedish sentences. Practice using it to connect ideas smoothly.