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Questions & Answers about Sjefen signerer rapporten nå.
Why does Norwegian attach -en to sjef and rapport instead of using a separate article?
In Norwegian, the definite article is typically suffixed to the noun. Adding -en to sjef yields sjefen (the boss), and rapport plus -en gives rapporten (the report). For the indefinite forms you place the article before: en sjef (a boss), en rapport (a report).
Why is signerer used? Don’t we need something like is signing to show an ongoing action?
Norwegian does not have a distinct continuous tense. The simple present form signerer covers both habitual actions and actions happening right now. Adding an adverb like nå (now) clarifies that the action is taking place at this moment.
What is the basic word order in this sentence? Could nå appear elsewhere?
The default main-clause order in Norwegian is Subject–Verb–Object–Adverb (SVOA):
Sjefen signerer rapporten nå.
You can front nå for emphasis — Nå signerer sjefen rapporten — but unmarked sentences use SVOA.
How would you make this sentence negative?
Insert ikke (not) after the verb:
Sjefen signerer ikke rapporten nå.
(The boss is not signing the report now.)
How do you form a question like “Is the boss signing the report now?”
Move the verb to the first position and follow with the subject:
Signerer sjefen rapporten nå?
Is there another way to express that the boss is in the middle of signing the report?
Yes. You can use holde på å + infinitive to stress the ongoing nature:
Sjefen holder på å signere rapporten.
This literally means “The boss is in the process of signing the report.”