Question 1

Why are ikke and mere separated by the rest of the sentence?

Accepted Answer

When using ikke mere to mean 'not anymore', it is very common to split the phrase. The ikke takes the standard central adverb position (right after the conjugated verb taler in a main clause), while mere is pushed to the very end of the sentence.

Question 2

Since the lesson is about ikke længere vs. ikke mere, could we use ikke længere here? How would the sentence change?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can use ikke længere, but the word order changes. Unlike ikke mere, the phrase ikke længere usually stays together in the central adverb position. The sentence would become: Vi taler ikke længere om at kvitte uvanen.

Question 3

Could I group ikke mere together right after the verb, saying Vi taler ikke mere om...?

Accepted Answer

You can, but it slightly changes the nuance. Keeping them together often sounds more abrupt or definitive, like 'We speak no more of...'. Splitting them, with mere at the end, is the most natural way to express a general 'not anymore'.

Question 4

Why do we use om at kvitte for 'about quitting' instead of a gerund like in English?

Accepted Answer

Danish does not have an '-ing' form (gerund) that acts like a noun. When a preposition like om is followed by an action, you must use the infinitive form with at. So, 'talk about quitting' directly translates to taler om at kvitte.

Question 5

If I put this into a subordinate clause, where would mere go?

Accepted Answer

mere would still go at the very end! Remember that in subordinate clauses, central adverbs like ikke move before the conjugated verb. So if you said 'He knows that we are not talking about...', it would be: Han ved, at vi ikke taler om at kvitte uvanen mere.

Vi taler ikke om at kvitte uvanen mere.

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