The infinitive marker (at)

The Infinitive Marker "at"

In English, we often link two verbs together using "to", as in "try to sleep" or "learn to dance". In Danish, this is done using the infinitive marker at followed by the infinitive form of the second verb.

to
at

When you link two verbs, the first verb takes a conjugated form (like the present tense, which usually ends in -r), and the second verb stays in its dictionary (infinitive) form.

He tries to swim.
Han prøver at svømme.
We are learning to dance.
Vi lærer at danse.

Questions and Negations

When asking a question, swap the subject and the first verb. The at + infinitive phrase stays together later in the sentence.

Are you trying to sleep?
Prøver du at sove?

When using adverbs like ikke (not) or altid (always), place them after the first (conjugated) verb, but before the at marker.

They are not learning to swim.
De lærer ikke at svømme.
They always forget to eat.
De glemmer altid at spise.

Common Verbs

You can use this structure with many common verbs, such as begynde (to begin), håbe (to hope), and elske (to love).

The woman begins to sing the song.
Kvinden begynder at synge sangen.
The boy hopes to play the game.
Drengen håber at spille spillet.
The woman loves to sing.
Kvinden elsker at synge.
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