Passive: bli passive and s passive
In the passive the action matters more than who does it. Norwegian has two passive forms.
We teach BokmÄl, the written standard most people in Norway use.
Rules
- bli + participle: Huset blir malt (The house is being painted). Huset ble malt i fjor. Huset har blitt malt.
- s passive: infinitive + -s, mostly in the present and after modal verbs: Billetter selges her (Tickets are sold here). SÞknaden mÄ sendes innen fredag (must be sent by Friday).
- The agent is introduced with av (by): Boka ble skrevet av Ibsen.
- The s passive is common on signs, in rules and formal texts: Det mÄ ikke rÞykes her.
- Some -s verbs are not passive at all: Ă„ synes (think), Ă„ finnes (exist), Ă„ trives (thrive, feel at home), Ă„ mĂžtes (meet).
Examples
- Brevet ble sendt i gÄr.The letter was sent yesterday.
- Butikken Ă„pnes klokka ni.The shop is opened at nine o'clock.
- Skjemaet mÄ fylles ut pÄ norsk.The form must be filled in in Norwegian.
- Huset ble bygget av bestefaren min.The house was built by my grandfather.
- SĂžknaden om dagpenger behandles av NAV.The application for unemployment benefit is processed by NAV.
- Veien over fjellet blir stengt i natt pÄ grunn av snÞ.The mountain road will be closed tonight because of snow.
- Hunder mÄ holdes i bÄnd.Dogs must be kept on a lead.
- LÞnna blir utbetalt den tjuende hver mÄned.Wages are paid out on the twentieth of every month.