Subordinate Clause Word Order
In main clauses, the negative word ikke comes immediately after the conjugated verb. In subordinate (dependent) clauses, the order changes.
After a subordinating conjunction—like at (that), fordi (because), hvis (if), når (when), or om (whether)—ikke must be placed before the conjugated verb.
Compare these patterns:
- Main clause: Subject + Verb + ikke
- Subordinate clause: Conjunction + Subject + ikke
- Verb
Notice how ikke jumps in front of the verb in these dependent clauses:
| We are waiting for you if you are not ready. | Vi venter på dig hvis du ikke er klar. |
| He is angry because she does not tell him the truth. | Han er vred fordi hun ikke fortæller ham sandheden. |
| They always laugh when I do not see the mistake. | De griner altid når jeg ikke ser fejlen. |
Other Adverbs
This rule applies to all "central adverbs," not just ikke. Words like altid (always) and sikkert (probably) also move in front of the verb in a subordinate clause.
| probably | sikkert |
When using multiple adverbs (like "probably not"), they group together and both go before the verb:
| She helps him even though he probably does not mean it. | Hun hjælper ham selvom han sikkert ikke mener det. |
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