Norwegian word order and the V2 rule in one table
In a main clause the verb is always in second place. In a subordinate clause ikke and similar adverbs come before the verb. The tables show the slots, with the verb in colour.
| Fundament (first slot) | Verb (second slot) | Subject | Adverb (ikke) | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JegI don't speak Norwegian. | snakker | ikke | norsk. | |
| I dagToday I'm not working at the office. | jobber | jeg | ikke | på kontoret. |
| KariKari still lives in Bergen. | bor | fortsatt | i Bergen. | |
| Om kveldenIn the evening we often watch TV. | ser | vi | ofte | på TV. |
| NorskShe has always liked Norwegian. | har | hun | alltid | likt. |
| Neste årNext year Lars isn't going to move to Oslo. | skal | Lars | ikke | flytte til Oslo. |
| Conjunction | Subject | ikke / adverb | Verb | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| fordibecause I don't have time | jeg | ikke | har | tid |
| atthat she always comes late | hun | alltid | kommer | for sent |
| hvisif you can't come tomorrow | du | ikke | kan | komme i morgen |
| nårwhen we finally get home | vi | endelig | kommer | hjem |
| omwhether he still lives in Stavanger | han | fortsatt | bor | i Stavanger |
| selv omalthough it often rains in Bergen | det | ofte | regner | i Bergen |
| Question word | Verb | Subject | Adverb (ikke) | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HvorWhere do you work now? | jobber | du | nå? | |
| NårWhen does the Norwegian course start this autumn? | begynner | norskkurset | i høst? | |
| HvorforWhy didn't you come to the party? | kom | du | ikke | på festen? |
| Do you speak Norwegian? | Snakker | du | norsk? | |
| Don't you have children? | Har | dere | ikke | barn? |
| HvemWho called yesterday? | ringte | i går? |
Tips:
- The verb is always in slot two. If you start with a time word, the subject moves after the verb: I morgen reiser jeg.
- Typical mistake: «I dag jeg jobber». English puts the subject first, Norwegian does not: I dag jobber jeg.
- Ikke follows the verb in a main clause (Jeg kommer ikke) but comes before it in a subordinate clause (fordi jeg ikke kommer).
- In questions there is no «do»: Hvor jobber du?
NorskGrammatikk.com