Møtet er viktig fordi vi skal planlegge sammen.

to be

Breakdown of Møtet er viktig fordi vi skal planlegge sammen.

• vi: we
• skulle: shall
• fordi: because
• viktig: important
• sammen: together
• møte: the meeting
• planlegge: to plan

Questions & Answers about Møtet er viktig fordi vi skal planlegge sammen.

What does Møtet mean, and why is it in the definite form?

Møtet translates to "the meeting" in English. In Norwegian, nouns often take a suffix to indicate definiteness. Here, the suffix -et shows that we’re referring to a specific meeting rather than just any meeting.

How does the modal verb skal function in this sentence?

Skal expresses a planned or intended future action. It is roughly equivalent to saying "will" or "are going to" in English. In this sentence, it indicates that planning together is an arranged future activity rather than a mere idea or possibility.

What role does fordi play in the sentence?

Fordi means "because" and is used as a subordinating conjunction to introduce the reason why the meeting is important. It connects the main statement (that the meeting is important) with the explanation (that we are going to plan together).

Why is the verb planlegge in its infinitive (base) form in this context?

After modal verbs like skal in Norwegian, the main verb always appears in its infinitive form. Planlegge means "to plan." This structure mirrors English constructions such as "are going to plan", where the main verb remains unchanged.

What does sammen add to the sentence?

Sammen translates to "together." Its placement at the end of the sentence emphasizes that the planning will be a collaborative effort, reinforcing the idea that all parties involved will work jointly.

How similar is the sentence structure to English, and what should I be aware of?

The overall structure is similar to English in that the sentence begins with a main clause and is followed by a reason introduced by fordi (because). However, note that Norwegian determines definiteness by attaching suffixes to nouns (e.g., Møtet) rather than using separate definite articles as in English, and the use of modal verbs followed by an infinitive is a distinct feature of Norwegian grammar.

Can skal be confused with vil, and what distinguishes them?

Yes, learners sometimes mix up skal and vil. In Norwegian, skal is used for planned or scheduled future actions, while vil expresses a desire or willingness to do something. In this context, skal properly communicates that the planning is an established future plan rather than just a wish.

Why is the adverb sammen placed at the end rather than directly next to planlegge?

In Norwegian, adverbs like sammen often appear at the end of the clause to modify the overall action. This placement emphasizes that the collaborative nature of the planning is a concluding, significant detail, similar in effect to how English speakers might place emphasis on a final modifier in a sentence.