En klar setning løser ofte et problem i en lang tekst.

Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Norwegian grammar and vocabulary.

Start learning Norwegian now

Questions & Answers about En klar setning løser ofte et problem i en lang tekst.

Why do we use En before klar setning, but et before problem?

Norwegian has two indefinite articles that agree with noun gender:

  • en for masculine/feminine nouns (like setning, “sentence”).
  • et for neuter nouns (like problem, “problem”).
How do I know the gender of a Norwegian noun?

There’s no one rule, but there are patterns and you’ll learn them over time. A few tips: • Many -ing nouns (setning, mening) are masculine/feminine (uses en)
• Many short monosyllables (hus, barn) are neuter (uses et)
• Check a dictionary: it will list m (masculine), f (feminine) or n (neuter).

Why is the adjective klar not klart here?

Adjectives in Norwegian agree with the noun’s gender: • For masculine/feminine (en-words), use the base form: klar setning.
• For neuter (et-words), add -t: et klart problem.

What is the infinitive of løser, and how is it conjugated?

The verb is å løse (“to solve”). Present-tense conjugation is simple: • jeg løser
• du løser
• han/hun/det løser
Notice that for most verbs ending in -e, the present tense just adds -r.

What does ofte mean, and why is it placed between the verb and the object?

Ofte means “often.” Norwegian word order for adverbs of frequency is flexible but typically: Subject + verb + adverb + object
So: En klar setning (subject) løser (verb) ofte (adverb) et problem (object).

Can I move ofte to the beginning of the sentence?

Yes, but you must invert subject and verb: Ofte løser en klar setning et problem i en lang tekst.
(“Often a clear sentence solves a problem in a long text.”)

What’s the function of i en lang tekst?

It’s a prepositional phrase meaning “in a long text.”
i = “in”
en = indefinite article for tekst (a feminine noun)
lang = adjective “long” (no -t because tekst is en-word)
tekst = “text.”

How do I pronounce løser and the letter ø?
  • ø is a mid-front rounded vowel, like the sound in French peur or German schön.
  • løser sounds roughly like “LUR-sir” (with a short “u” as in “turn” and a soft ending).
Why isn’t there a definite article (“the”) anywhere in the sentence?

This sentence speaks generally: “A clear sentence often solves a problem in a long text.”

  • Indefinite articles (en, et) introduce non-specific items.
  • The definite form in Norwegian attaches to the end of the noun (e.g. setningen = “the sentence”).