Modifying Comparatives with noget
When you want to express that a difference is noticeable but not necessarily extreme, you can use the degree adverb noget directly before a comparative adjective or adverb. In this context, noget translates to "somewhat," "a bit," or "considerably."
This is highly useful when comparing options, such as the costs and benefits of home energy upgrades.
| The heat pump is somewhat more expensive than the gas boiler. | Varmepumpen er noget dyrere end gasfyret. |
| The replacement of the gas boiler is somewhat more complex. | Udskiftningen af gasfyret er noget mere kompleks. |
Working with Irregular Comparatives
The adverb noget works exactly the same way with irregular comparatives, such as større (greater/larger), mindre (smaller), and bedre (better). Simply place noget right before the comparative word.
| The energy saving from the heat pump is somewhat greater. | Energibesparelsen fra varmepumpen er noget større. |
| The additional insulation makes the heating bill somewhat smaller. | Efterisoleringen gør varmeregningen noget mindre. |
| Renewable energy is somewhat better for the environment. | Vedvarende energi er noget bedre for miljøet. |
Reporting Evaluations
When discussing renovations or energy installations, you will often report what an expert (like an installer) says or thinks. You can easily include noget in these subordinate clauses, which typically begin with the conjunction at (that).
| The installer says that the replacement will be somewhat cheaper. | Installatøren siger at udskiftningen bliver noget billigere. |
| The installer thinks that the additional insulation is somewhat more important. | Installatøren mener at efterisoleringen er noget vigtigere. |
