Planen virker lovende.

the plan

Breakdown of Planen virker lovende.

• virke: to seem
• lovende: promising

Questions & Answers about Planen virker lovende.

Why is it planen and not plan?

Because planen is the definite singular form of plan.

• en plan = a plan
• planen = the plan

So Planen virker lovende means The plan seems/promises to be promising, not A plan seems promising.

What does virker mean here?

Here, virker means seems, appears, or comes across as.

The verb å virke can have several meanings in Norwegian, depending on context:

• to work / function
  
  • Maskinen virker. = The machine works.
• to seem / appear
  
  • Han virker trøtt. = He seems tired.

In Planen virker lovende, it has the second meaning: seems.

Why is there no word for is, as in The plan is promising?

Norwegian often uses virke where English might use either seem or even a more natural-sounding be translation in context.

Compare:

• Planen er lovende. = The plan is promising.
• Planen virker lovende. = The plan seems promising.

Using virker makes the statement a little less direct and slightly more cautious. It suggests an impression rather than a firm judgment.