Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Plan er viktig.

In Norwegian, when a statement refers to a general idea or abstract concept, it’s common to omit the indefinite article. Here, Plan er viktig expresses that the concept of planning is important in general, rather than referring to a specific plan.

Is "Plan er viktig" a complete and grammatically correct sentence in Norwegian?

Yes, it is. The sentence follows the standard structure with a subject (Plan), a linking verb (er), and a predicate adjective (viktig). This simple subject-verb-adjective order makes it a fully acceptable sentence in Norwegian.

How does the word order in "Plan er viktig" compare to its English equivalent?

The word order is very similar. In both Norwegian and English, the typical order for a simple declarative sentence is subject–verb–adjective. Just as English uses “Plan is important,” Norwegian uses “Plan er viktig,” reflecting a directly parallel structure.

Why is the adjective "viktig" presented in its base form without any additional inflection?

In Norwegian, adjectives used as predicate adjectives—those that follow a linking verb like er—generally remain in their base form regardless of the gender or number of the subject. When adjectives modify a noun directly (attributive position), they might take an ending, but in this predicate position, viktig stays uninflected.

Could the sentence be modified to include an article, and if so, what difference would that make?

Yes, you could include an article. For instance, saying En plan er viktig (meaning “A plan is important”) or Planen er viktig (meaning “The plan is important”) shifts the focus from the general concept of planning to a specific instance. The version without an article, Plan er viktig, is used to express a universal truth about planning in general.