The passive: nuances and style
Norwegian has two passive forms, and you can often choose an active sentence with man or vi instead. The choice affects both meaning and tone.
We teach Bokmål, the written standard most people in Norway use.
In short: The bli-passive (blir gjort) is common in speech and for single events, the s-passive (gjøres) in rules and writing – and often an active sentence is best.
Rules
- Bli-passive: bli + past participle, often for something that happens once: Huset ble solgt i fjor (The house was sold last year).
- S-passive: verb + -s, typical of rules, instructions and general statements: Søknaden sendes elektronisk (Applications are sent electronically).
- Tense: The s-passive is used almost only in the present and infinitive. Past forms like solgtes are old-fashioned; say Huset ble solgt.
- After modal verbs: Both work: Saken må behandles / Saken må bli behandlet (The case must be dealt with). The s-form is shorter and more common in writing.
- General or specific: Melken oppbevares kjølig (always – a rule). Melken ble satt i kjøleskapet (once).
- Agent with av: The doer is introduced with av (by): Loven ble vedtatt av Stortinget. Often the agent is left out.
- Være + participle: Describes a state, not an action: Butikken er stengt (it is closed now) – Butikken blir stengt klokka 20 (action).
- Man and en: An active sentence with man (one/you) is more direct: Man må søke innen fristen. En is also used: En vet aldri.
- Vi and du: Public texts today prefer active: Vi behandler søknaden din innen tre uker (not: Søknaden vil bli behandlet).
- Not passive: Some -s verbs are not passive at all: synes, finnes, trives, minnes, lykkes: Det finnes ingen enkel løsning.
- Style: Too many passives make a text impersonal and vague. Ask: who does what? Use active when the doer matters.
Typical mistake: Using være for an action, as English «was» suggests: *Han var arrestert i går → Han ble arrestert i går.
Examples
- Forslaget ble vedtatt med knapt flertall.The proposal was adopted by a narrow majority.
- Skjemaet må fylles ut før fristen.The form must be filled in before the deadline.
- Saken må bli behandlet på nytt.The case has to be dealt with again.
- Det bygges for få boliger i Oslo.Too few homes are being built in Oslo.
- Pasienten ble undersøkt av to leger.The patient was examined by two doctors.
- Butikken er stengt i dag.The shop is closed today.
- Man skal ikke undervurdere motstanderen.You shouldn't underestimate your opponent.
- Det finnes ingen enkel løsning på problemet.There is no simple solution to the problem.