Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Nettverket virker bedre enn i går. - The network seems better than yesterday.

In tech contexts like this, virker most naturally means “works/operates.” It can also mean “seems/appears,” especially in patterns like Det virker som …. Here, with nettverket, readers will understand “works.”

Can I use fungerer instead of virker?

Yes. Nettverket fungerer bedre enn i går is very natural and slightly more unambiguous for “works/operates.” Virker is broader (works, seems, has an effect), while fungerer focuses on functioning.

Why is it enn and not en?

Enn (with double n) means “than” in comparisons. En (single n) is the masculine/“common” indefinite article (“a/an”). So you need bedre enn = “better than.”

Why do we need i in i går? Can’t I just say går?

You must include i. I går is the fixed way to say “yesterday,” just like i dag (today), i morgen (tomorrow), i fjor (last year). Without i, går is the present tense of å gå (to go/walk), not “yesterday.”

Is bedre the comparative of bra? Why not mer bra?

Yes. Bra → bedre → best is irregular. Don’t say mer bra for “better.” Use bedre. Similarly, dårlig → verre → verst (worse/worst).

Does bedre change form to agree with nettverket?

No. Comparative forms like bedre are invariable—no gender/number agreement. It works as both an adjective and an adverb: er bedre, virker bedre, spiller bedre.

What’s the word order rule in this sentence?

Main-clause V2: the finite verb comes second. Subject-first is fine:

Nettverket (subject) virker (verb) bedre enn i går (rest). If you front something else (e.g., a time expression), the verb still stays second:
I dag (fronted) virker (verb) nettverket (subject) bedre enn i går.

Is Nettverket er bedre enn i går also correct?

Grammatically yes, but it can sound a bit vague. More idiomatic is either:

Nettverket fungerer/virker bedre enn i går, or
Nettverket er bedre i dag enn i går (adds a clear time frame to “is better”).

Can I expand the comparison: … bedre enn det gjorde i går?

Yes. Examples:

Nettverket virker bedre enn det gjorde i går.
With er: … bedre enn det var i går. This can make the comparison more explicit, though … enn i går is usually enough.

Could I put the time first: I dag virker nettverket bedre enn i går?

Absolutely. That’s very natural and highlights today vs. yesterday:

I dag virker nettverket bedre enn i går.

Present vs past: why virker (present) when I mention i går (yesterday)?

You’re describing the current situation (present) and comparing it to a past reference point. If you were describing yesterday itself, you’d use past:

I går virket nettverket dårligere.

Why the definite form nettverket and not et nettverk?

You’re talking about a specific, known network (e.g., your home or office network). Norwegian typically marks that with the suffixed definite: nettverk → nettverket (neuter: et nettverk, definite: nettverket).

How do I pronounce the sentence?

Approximate Norwegian pronunciation (East Norwegian):

Nettverket virker bedre enn i går ≈ NEHTT-verk-eh(t) VEER-ker BEHD-re enn ee GOHR More precisely: [ˈnɛtːvɛrket ˈʋɪrkər ˈbeːdrə en i ˈgoːɾ] Tips:
v is a soft v (often like English v/w mix).
r is tapped.
å in går is a long “oh” sound.

When do I use enn vs som in comparisons?

Use enn with comparatives: bedre enn, større enn.
Use som with equality: like bra som, like stor som. Examples:
Dette er bedre enn i går.
Dette er like bra som i går.

Is there any ambiguity with virker meaning “seems”?

A little. Nettverket virker bedre can be read as “functions better” or “seems better.” Context (tech performance) usually implies “functions.” If you mean “seems,” you can say:

Det virker som nettverket er bedre enn i går.

Related vocabulary: nett, nettverk, nettet—what’s the difference?

nett: net; also colloquial for the internet.
nettverk: network (technical/social).
nettet: “the net” = the internet (definite form of nett). So nettverket = “the network” (specific LAN/Wi‑Fi/etc.), nettet = “the internet.”

Common mistakes to avoid with this sentence?

Writing en instead of enn.
Dropping i in i går.
Saying mer bra instead of bedre.
Breaking V2 word order when fronting time: say I dag virker nettverket …, not I dag nettverket virker ….