Question 1

Why is faktisk placed after er and not at the beginning?

Accepted Answer

In Danish, adverbs like faktisk often go in the “middle field” of the clause—typically after the finite verb (here er) in a main clause: Jeg er faktisk ...  
You can front it for emphasis, but then Danish word order (V2) forces the verb into second position and the subject after the verb: Faktisk er jeg mere rolig, .... This sounds a bit more “framed” or emphatic.

Question 2

What does mere rolig mean grammatically—why not roligere?

Accepted Answer

Both are possible. Danish forms comparatives either with -ere or with mere + adjective.  
- rolig → roligere (synthetic comparative)  
- rolig → mere rolig (analytic comparative)  
With many adjectives, both options are fine. Mere rolig can sound slightly more neutral/explicit, while roligere is often the most common everyday choice.

Question 3

Why is it når and not da or hvis?

Accepted Answer

når is used for a general/typical situation (“whenever/when” in a repeated or general sense): I’m calmer when I know the plan.  
- da is often used for a specific past event: Da jeg vidste det, ... (“when I knew it (that time)”).  
- hvis means “if” and makes it conditional/uncertain: ... hvis jeg ved, hvad planen er (“if I know what the plan is”).

Question 4

Why is ved in the present tense even though the English might feel like “when I know”?

Accepted Answer

Because it is present tense: jeg ved = “I know.” Danish doesn’t need a special tense just because it’s in a når-clause. Present is used for general truths/habits as well as current situations, just like English.

Question 5

Why does the subordinate clause have jeg ved (subject before verb), not ved jeg?

Accepted Answer

In Danish subordinate clauses (introduced by når, at, fordi, hvis, etc.), the normal order is subject before the finite verb: når jeg ved ...  
In main clauses, Danish is V2 (the finite verb is second), which is where you often see ved jeg after something fronted. But subclauses don’t follow V2 in the same way.

Question 6

What is the function of the comma before når and the extra commas around hvad planen er?

Accepted Answer

Danish commonly uses commas to mark clause boundaries.  
- ..., når jeg ved, ...: comma before når because the når-clause is a subordinate clause attached to the main clause.  
- ..., når jeg ved, hvad planen er.: the hvad-clause (hvad planen er) is another subordinate clause embedded as the object of ved, so it’s also set off with a comma.

Question 7

Why is it hvad planen er and not hvad er planen?

Accepted Answer

Because hvad planen er is an embedded question (indirect question) inside a subordinate clause. Danish uses “subordinate word order” there: subject before verb (planen before er).  
Direct question (standalone): Hvad er planen?  
Indirect question: ... hvad planen er.

Question 8

Is planen definite because it has -en? What’s the difference from en plan?

Accepted Answer

Yes. planen = “the plan” (definite singular). en plan = “a plan” (indefinite singular).  
In this sentence, planen implies a specific plan that’s relevant/known in context (the plan for the situation).

Question 9

Does hvad planen er literally mean “what the plan is”—and is that the normal way to say it?

Accepted Answer

Yes, literally “what the plan is,” and it’s a very normal Danish structure for indirect questions: at vide, hvad planen er (“to know what the plan is”). It’s the standard way to embed a question after verbs like vide (“know”), spørge (“ask”), forklare (“explain”).

Question 10

Why is the verb ved used instead of kender?

Accepted Answer

Because at vide is “to know (a fact/information).” At kende is “to know/be familiar with (a person/place/thing).”  
You know what the plan is as information → jeg ved.  
You know a person (are acquainted) → jeg kender ham.

Question 11

Can I drop faktisk? Does it change the meaning?

Accepted Answer

You can drop it: Jeg er mere rolig, når jeg ved, hvad planen er.  
It becomes more neutral. faktisk adds a nuance like “actually/in fact,” often used to correct an assumption, emphasize sincerity, or underline that this is genuinely the case.

Question 12

Why is it rolig and not stille?

Accepted Answer

Because rolig refers to being calm/at ease (emotional state). stille often means quiet (low sound) or still (not moving).  
So mere rolig = calmer; mere stille would more likely mean quieter.

Question 13

Is the comma always required in Danish, or can I omit it like in English?

Accepted Answer

In Danish writing, commas are more systematic than in English, and many clause boundaries are normally marked. Most standard styles would keep the commas here. Informal writing sometimes drops commas, but in correct/standard Danish this sentence is typically punctuated as shown.

Question 14

Could I also say Jeg bliver faktisk mere rolig, når ...? What’s the difference from Jeg er?

Accepted Answer

Yes.  
- Jeg er faktisk mere rolig ... states a (current/general) state.  
- Jeg bliver faktisk mere rolig ... emphasizes a change: you become calmer when you know the plan (transition from less calm to more calm).

Jeg er faktisk mere rolig, når jeg ved, hvad planen er.

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