Question 1

Is there a difference between using "så" and "så at" in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

Both mean "so that" or "in order to" and are used to show the result or purpose of an action. Using så at is a bit more formal and makes it very clear that a subordinate clause follows. In everyday spoken Danish, it is very common to drop the at and just say så.

Question 2

Because "så at" introduces a subordinate clause, what would happen to the word order if we added "ikke" (not)?

Accepted Answer

In a subordinate clause, central adverbs like ikke must come before the first verb. If you wanted to say "so that you cannot find", it would be så at du ikke kan finde. This is an important rule to remember, as it differs from a main clause where ikke comes after the first verb.

Question 3

English uses the two-word phrase "turn on", so why is it just "tænder" in Danish?

Accepted Answer

The Danish verb at tænde inherently means "to turn on", "to switch on", or "to light" (like a lamp or a fire). You do not need to add a preposition like på (on) to complete the meaning. The opposite verb, "to turn off", is also a single word: at slukke.

Question 4

Why does the word for "the dark" (mørket) end in "-t" while the other definite nouns end in "-n"?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the gender of the noun. lygte (flashlight) and sovepose (sleeping bag) are common gender words (en-words), so they take the -n suffix to mean "the" (lygten, soveposen). mørke (darkness) is a neuter word (an et-word), so it takes the -t suffix to become mørket.

Jeg tænder lygten, så at du kan finde soveposen i mørket.

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