Learn Danish: Forsinkelsen skyldes sne. - The delay is due to snow.

Grammatically, it is the passive form of at skylde (to owe). However, at skyldes is an s-verb that operates with its own specific meaning: 'to be caused by' or 'to be due to'. It works perfectly here to show the delay 'is owed to' the snow.

Why is there no preposition like til (to) after skyldes?

In English, we say 'due to', but in Danish, skyldes takes a direct object because it translates more literally to 'is caused by'. It connects directly to the noun (sne) without needing a preposition.

How would I say this in the past tense ('The delay was due to snow')?

You would use the past tense form skyldtes. The past tense of s-verbs often trips learners up; you form it by taking the standard active past tense (skyldte) and adding -s, resulting in Forsinkelsen skyldtes sne.

What is an alternative way to express this if I cannot remember the verb skyldes?

You can use the phrase på grund af (because of / due to). A very natural alternative sentence would be Forsinkelsen er på grund af sne.