……
AI Language TutorTry it ↗
“What's the best way to learn Norwegian grammar?”
Norwegian grammar becomes intuitive with practice. Focus on understanding the core patterns first — how sentences are structured, how verbs change form, and how words relate to each other. Our course breaks these concepts into small lessons so you can build understanding step by step.
Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor
Start learning NorwegianMaster Norwegian — from Noen ganger kan det skje to fluency
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods.
- ✓ Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
- ✓ Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
- ✓ Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
- ✓ AI tutor to answer your grammar questions
More from this lesson
Questions & Answers about Noen ganger kan det skje.
What does Noen ganger mean?
Noen ganger literally translates to “some times,” and in natural English we say “sometimes.” It refers to events that occur on multiple occasions, not just once.
Why is there a det in this sentence?
Norwegian often needs a placeholder subject, even when the real “thing” that happens is vague. That placeholder is det. In English we don’t say “It sometimes can happen” quite the same way, but in Norwegian det fills the subject slot.
Why is kan placed before det skje? Isn’t the usual order subject-verb-object?
Norwegian follows the V2 rule (“verb-second”) in main clauses. Any time you start a sentence with something other than the subject (here Noen ganger), the finite verb (kan) must come second, and the subject (det) follows the verb.
What does skje mean, and why is it in the infinitive form?
skje means “to happen.” After a modal verb like kan, Norwegian uses the bare infinitive (without å). So you say kan skje, not kan å skje.
Could you rephrase the sentence without fronting Noen ganger?
Yes. You can say Det kan skje noen ganger, which still means “It can happen sometimes.” In that order, there’s no inversion, so det (subject) stays before kan (verb).
How do you pronounce skje?
skje is pronounced [ʃeː]. The sj makes a “sh” sound like in English “she,” and e is long, like the e in “say” (but without the glide).
Are there other ways to say “sometimes” in Norwegian?
Yes. Common alternatives include:
• av og til (literally “off and on”)
• iblant (a bit more formal, like “occasionally”)
• til tider (similar to “at times”)