Simple Conditional Sentences in Swedish
In this lesson, you will learn how to compose basic conditional sentences in Swedish. Conditional sentences are used to express hypothetical or uncertain actions or events. By understanding the structure and usage of these sentences, you will be able to communicate more effectively in various contexts.
Structure of Simple Conditional Sentences
Simple conditional sentences in Swedish consist of two clauses: the "if" clause (condition) and the "then" clause (result). The word "if" is translated as om in Swedish. The two clauses can be arranged in two different ways:
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Condition + Result: In this structure, the condition clause appears before the result clause. Both clauses are separated by a comma.
Example: Om det regnar, stannar jag hemma. (If it rains, I stay at home.)
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Result + Condition: In this structure, the result clause appears before the condition clause. The clauses are also separated by a comma.
Example: Jag stannar hemma om det regnar. (I stay at home if it rains.)
Verb Conjugation in Conditional Sentences
When conjugating verbs in conditional sentences, the verb in the condition clause is generally in present tense, and the verb in the result clause is in present tense or future tense.
Example 1: Om jag har tid, går jag på bio. (If I have time, I go to the cinema.)
Example 2: Om jag får jobbet, kommer jag att flytta till Sverige. (If I get the job, I will move to Sweden.)
Using Negation in Conditional Sentences
To express negation in conditional sentences, the word "not" is added to both the condition clause and the result clause.
Example: Om det inte regnar, går vi på picknick. (If it doesn't rain, we go for a picnic.)
Expressing Probability in Conditional Sentences
To express probability or likelihood in conditional sentences, the word "probably" or "likely" can be added to the result clause.
Example: Om jag hinner, kommer jag förmodligen på festen. (If I have time, I will probably come to the party.)
Expressing Impossibility in Conditional Sentences
To express impossibility or unlikelihood in conditional sentences, the word "impossible" or "unlikely" can be added to the condition clause.
Example: Om det är omöjligt, hjälper jag dig inte. (If it is impossible, I won't help you.)
Summary
To summarize, simple conditional sentences in Swedish consist of an "if" clause and a "then" clause. The structure and word order can vary, but the main verb in the condition clause is generally in present tense, while the verb in the result clause can be in present or future tense. Negation, probability, and impossibility can be expressed using additional words. By mastering this form of conditional sentences, you will be able to express hypothetical situations and convey your thoughts effectively in Swedish.