Anticipatory object (det)

The Anticipatory Object det

Sometimes the direct object of a sentence is not a simple noun, but an entire action expressed as an infinitive phrase (like "to travel far") or a subordinate clause (like "that the expansion begins").

When describing that action with an adjective, Danish uses the placeholder pronoun det (it) right after the verb. This anticipatory object (foreløbigt objekt) stands in for the real object that comes later.

Using det with Adjectives

With verbs like finde (to find) and gøre (to make), place det immediately before the adjective. The actual phrase or clause follows.

We find it necessary that the expansion of the infrastructure begins now.
Vi finder det nødvendigt at udbygningen af infrastrukturen begynder nu.
Fast trains make it attractive for the commuter to travel far.
Hurtige tog gør det attraktivt for pendleren at rejse langt.
The commuter often finds it cumbersome to plan her journey.
Pendleren finder det ofte besværligt at planlægge sin rejse.

Using det with Prepositions

Some verbs require a preposition to connect the object to its describing adjective, such as at anse for (to consider [as]) and at betragte som (to regard as). Place det immediately before the preposition.

She considers it necessary to build the high-speed train.
Hun anser det for nødvendigt at bygge højhastighedstoget.
The government considers it beneficial to expand the old stretch.
Regeringen anser det for gavnligt at udvide den gamle strækning.
They considered it beneficial that the expansion started early.
De betragtede det som gavnligt at udbygningen startede tidligt.
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