Language/Norwegian-bokmal/Grammar/Coordinating-Conjunctions
In this lesson, we will learn about coordinating conjunctions and how to use them to connect words, phrases, and clauses in Norwegian Bokmål.
What are Coordinating Conjunctions?
Coordinating conjunctions are words used to connect two or more words, phrases, or clauses that are of equal grammatical importance. They are also known as "føyestavelser" in Norwegian. Coordinating conjunctions are different from subordinating conjunctions, which are used to connect a dependent clause to an independent clause.
Examples of coordinating conjunctions in Norwegian Bokmål include:
- "og" (and)
- "eller" (or)
- "men" (but)
- "for" (because)
- "så" (so)
How to Use Coordinating Conjunctions
When using coordinating conjunctions in Norwegian Bokmål, it is important to remember the following guidelines:
1. Coordinating conjunctions are placed between the words, phrases, or clauses they connect.
For example:
"Jeg liker å spille fotball, og jeg liker å se på fotball på TV." (I like to play football, and I like to watch football on TV.)
In this sentence, "og" is used to connect two clauses: "Jeg liker å spille fotball," and "jeg liker å se på fotball på TV."
2. In Norwegian Bokmål, the word order of the clauses is not changed when a coordinating conjunction is used to connect them.
For example:
"Jeg skal på kino, men jeg har ikke bestemt meg for hvilken film jeg skal se enda." (I am going to the movies, but I haven't decided which movie to watch yet.)
In this sentence, "men" is used to connect two clauses: "Jeg skal på kino," and "jeg har ikke bestemt meg for hvilken film jeg skal se enda." The word order of the clauses remains the same despite the use of the coordinating conjunction.
3. Coordinating conjunctions can be used to connect words, phrases, or clauses.
For example:
"Jeg har lyst på enten pizza eller sushi til middag i kveld." (I would like either pizza or sushi for dinner tonight.)
In this sentence, "eller" is used to connect two words: "pizza" and "sushi."
4. Coordinating conjunctions can be used to create compound sentences.
For example:
"Jeg liker å reise, men jeg har ikke råd akkurat nå." (I like to travel, but I don't have the money right now.)
In this sentence, "men" is used to connect two independent clauses to create a compound sentence.
Common Coordinating Conjunctions
Here are some common coordinating conjunctions in Norwegian Bokmål:
- "og" (and)
- "eller" (or)
- "men" (but)
- "for" (because)
- "så" (so)
Below are some examples of how to use these coordinating conjunctions in sentences:
Og (And)
"Jeg liker både å skrive og å lese." (I like both writing and reading.)
In this sentence, "og" is used to connect the two verbs "å skrive" (writing) and "å lese" (reading).
"Jeg skal på ferie til Spania og Italia i sommer." (I am going on vacation to Spain and Italy this summer.)
In this sentence, "og" is used to connect the two proper nouns "Spania" (Spain) and "Italia" (Italy).
Eller (Or)
"Vil du ha kaffe eller te?" (Do you want coffee or tea?)
In this sentence, "eller" is used to connect the two nouns "kaffe" (coffee) and "te" (tea).
"Skal du til Nederland eller Belgia på neste forretningsreise?" (Are you going to the Netherlands or Belgium on your next business trip?)
In this sentence, "eller" is used to connect the two proper nouns "Nederland" (the Netherlands) and "Belgia" (Belgium).
Men (But)
"Jeg er lei meg, men jeg kan ikke komme på festen i kveld." (I am sorry, but I can't come to the party tonight.)
In this sentence, "men" is used to connect the two clauses "jeg er lei meg" (I am sorry) and "jeg kan ikke komme på festen i kveld" (I can't come to the party tonight).
"Jeg liker å spille tennis, men jeg liker ikke å se på det på TV." (I like playing tennis, but I don't like watching it on TV.)
In this sentence, "men" is used to connect the two clauses "jeg liker å spille tennis" (I like playing tennis) and "jeg liker ikke å se på det på TV" (I don't like watching it on TV).
For (Because)
"Jeg dro hjem tidlig fra festen, fordi jeg var veldig sliten." (I left the party early because I was very tired.)
In this sentence, "fordi" (because) is used to connect the two clauses "jeg dro hjem tidlig fra festen" (I left the party early) and "jeg var veldig sliten" (I was very tired).
"Jeg dro til apoteket for å kjøpe hostesaft." (I went to the pharmacy to buy cough syrup.)
In this sentence, "for å" (to) is used to connect the two clauses "jeg dro til apoteket" (I went to the pharmacy) and "å kjøpe hostesaft" (to buy cough syrup).
Så (So)
"Jeg studerer norsk, så jeg kan kommunisere bedre med mine norske venner." (I am studying Norwegian so I can communicate better with my Norwegian friends.)
In this sentence, "så" is used to connect the two clauses "jeg studerer norsk" (I am studying Norwegian) and "jeg kan kommunisere bedre med mine norske venner" (I can communicate better with my Norwegian friends).
"Jeg spiste for mye, så jeg føler meg veldig mett nå." (I ate too much, so I feel very full now.)
In this sentence, "så" is used to connect the two clauses "jeg spiste for mye" (I ate too much) and "jeg føler meg veldig mett nå" (I feel very full now).
Exercise
Choose the correct coordinating conjunction to complete the following sentences:
1. Han liker både å bade _____ å sole seg.
a) eller b) og c) men d) for
2. Jeg skal enten på fjelltur _____ til stranden i morgen.
a) eller b) og c) men d) for
3. Jeg må studere mye i kveld, _____ jeg har en eksamen i morgen.
a) eller b) og c) men d) så
4. Jeg spiste for mye mat til lunsj, _____ jeg er ikke sulten nå.
a) eller b) og c) men d) for
5. Vil du ha kaffe _____ te til frokost i dag?
a) eller b) og c) men d) for
Answers: 1. b, 2. a, 3. d, 4. d, 5. a