Jeg undgår at gå ud, når det regner.

I avoid going out when it rains.

Breakdown of Jeg undgår at gå ud, når det regner.

• jeg: I
• når: when
• at: to
• det: it
• regne: to rain
• undgå: to avoid
• gå ud: to go out

Questions & Answers about Jeg undgår at gå ud, når det regner.

Why is the infinitive marker at used before gå ud?

In Danish, many verbs require the infinitive marker at to introduce an infinitive clause. Here, undgår (meaning avoid) is followed by at gå ud (meaning to go out). This is a common construction where the marker at signals that the following phrase is an action being referenced, similar to saying I avoid going out in English.

What does the phrase gå ud mean, and how is it structured?

The phrase gå ud consists of the base verb gå (meaning go) and the particle ud (meaning out). Together, they form a phrasal verb that translates as to go out. This structure is comparable to English phrasal verbs like go out, where the combination of a verb and a particle creates a specific meaning.

Why is there a comma before når det regner?

The comma is used to separate the main clause from the subordinate clause. In this sentence, når det regner (meaning when it rains) is a temporal clause that provides the condition under which the main action occurs. Danish punctuation rules typically require a comma to indicate the break between the main idea and the additional, conditional information.

What role does the subordinate clause når det regner play in the sentence?

The subordinate clause når det regner functions as a time indicator. It specifies the condition under which the speaker avoids going out. Essentially, it translates to when it rains, clarifying that the action of avoiding going out is directly linked to the occurrence of rain.

Can you break down the sentence word-for-word?

Yes, here’s a detailed breakdown: • Jeg = I
• undgår = avoid
• at = to (introducing the infinitive)
• gå = go
• ud = out
• når = when
• det = it
• regner = rains

Put together, the sentence literally means I avoid to go out, when it rains, which in smoother English becomes I avoid going out when it rains.