Relative Pronouns in Swedish

Relative pronouns are used to introduce relative clauses, which provide additional information about a noun in a sentence. In Swedish, there are two relative pronouns: "som" and "vilken" (or its forms depending on gender and number). These pronouns allow you to form more complex and detailed sentences.

1. "Som"

The relative pronoun "som" is the most common one used in Swedish. It can be used to refer to both people and things. Here are some examples:

• Han är en man som jag känner (He is a man (whom) I know).
• Det är en bok som jag läser (It is a book (that) I am reading).

2. "Vilken" (and its forms)

The relative pronoun "vilken" is used to refer to things and has forms that agree with the gender and number of the noun it refers to. It can be translated as "which" or "that." Here are some examples:

• Den båt vilken jag köpte är blå (The boat (which) I bought is blue).
• De blommor vilka jag tycker om är röda (The flowers (that) I like are red).
• Bilarna vilka han äger är svarta (The cars (which) he owns are black).

3. Noun Agreement

In Swedish, relative pronouns "vilken" and its forms must agree in gender and number with the noun they refer to. Here are the forms of "vilken" for different genders:

• "Vilken" (common gender singular)
• "Vilket" (neuter singular)
• "Vilka" (plural for all genders)

Note that "som" does not change based on noun gender or number. It is always the same.

4. Relative Clauses with Prepositions

When a preposition is used in a relative clause, it is positioned before the relative pronoun. Here are some examples:

• Skärmen på vilken jag tittar är stor (The screen (on which) I am watching is big).
• Stolen ifrån vilken han föll är trasig (The chair (from which) he fell is broken).

5. Omission of Relative Pronouns

In certain cases, you can also omit the relative pronouns "som" or "vilken" in Swedish. This is common when the pronoun is the object of the relative clause. Here are some examples:

• Han är en man jag känner (He is a man (whom) I know).
• Det är en bok jag läser (It is a book (that) I am reading).

Note that when the pronoun is the subject of the relative clause, it cannot be omitted.

6. That vs. Which

In English, there is a distinction between using "that" for essential information and "which" for non-essential information. In Swedish, this distinction does not exist. Both "som" and "vilken" can be used for both essential and non-essential relative clauses.

Summary

• "Som" is used to refer to both people and things.
• "Vilken" (and its forms) is used to refer to things and agrees in gender and number.
• Prepositions in relative clauses come before the relative pronouns.
• Relative pronouns can be omitted in certain cases.
• Swedish does not have a distinction between "that" and "which" like in English.

Remember, the best way to become proficient in using relative pronouns is to practice constructing and understanding sentences that utilize them.