#16 Inversion: what it is, when to do it and how [grammatikk]

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The logic behind Norwegian inversion is actually quite straightforward once you understand it: the verb always wants to occupy the second position in any main clause. This doesn't mean it's literally the second word, but rather the second functional element. When you place something optional at the beginning of a sentence (like "tomorrow" or "in Norway"), the subject and verb must swap places to maintain this verb-second pattern.

Many learners either avoid inversion altogether or overuse it incorrectly. The key is recognizing what triggers inversion and what doesn't. 

For those who already speak German, you'll find numerous structural similarities that can help fast-track your understanding. Norwegian and German share many word order patterns that differ significantly from English, making it worthwhile to look for these parallels rather than always comparing to English.

Practice putting different elements at the beginning of sentences and watch how the rest of the words must rearrange themselves—soon, this "strange" word order will become second nature!


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