Breakdown of Du får bare et automatisk svar hvis hun ikke er på arbejde.
være
to be
du
you
hun
she
et
a / an (neuter)
Questions & Answers about Du får bare et automatisk svar hvis hun ikke er på arbejde.
Why is it automatisk and not automatiskt when it describes the neuter noun et svar?
This is a special exception in Danish. Normally, an adjective gets a -t ending when describing a neuter (et) noun. However, adjectives ending in -sk (like automatisk, typisk, or fantastisk) do not take the -t ending. So it stays et automatisk svar.
Why does ikke come before the verb er in the second part of the sentence?
The second part of the sentence (hvis hun ikke er på arbejde) is a subordinate clause because it starts with the conjunction hvis (if). In Danish subordinate clauses, sentence adverbs like ikke must come before the verb, whereas in a normal main clause, ikke comes after the verb.
Why is får used here for "get" instead of bliver or henter?
Får means to receive or acquire something, which fits "getting a reply". You would use bliver for a change of state (like getting tired or older) and henter when you physically go somewhere to fetch something.
Why is "at work" translated as på arbejde instead of using a preposition like i or ved?