Breakdown of Jeg ordner bordene før gjestene kommer.
jeg
I
før
before
komme
to arrive
bordet
the table
gjesten
the guest
ordne
to arrange
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Questions & Answers about Jeg ordner bordene før gjestene kommer.
Why is the noun in the definite plural: bordene? Could I say just bord?
- bordene = the specific tables (e.g., the tables in this room/venue). That’s the most natural reading here.
- bord (indefinite plural) would mean “tables” in general or an unspecified number: Jeg ordner bord før gjestene kommer = “I arrange (some) tables before the guests arrive.”
- Forms of the neuter noun bord: et bord (sg indef), bordet (sg def), bord (pl indef), bordene (pl def). In Bokmål, borda is also accepted as a less formal/colloquial definite plural.
What are the forms of gjest?
- en gjest (sg indef), gjesten (sg def), gjester (pl indef), gjestene (pl def).
- To say “some guests,” use noen gjester.
Why is kommer in the present tense when we’re talking about a future event?
Norwegian often uses the present tense for scheduled or expected future events, especially in time clauses:
- Jeg ordner bordene før gjestene kommer. = “I’m arranging the tables before the guests arrive.” You can add future in the main clause if you want: Jeg skal ordne bordene før gjestene kommer. Don’t say før gjestene skal komme in ordinary speech; it sounds odd.
Is the word order in før gjestene kommer correct? Why isn’t there inversion?
Yes. After a subjunction like før, you’re in a subordinate clause. Norwegian subordinate clauses do not have the V2 inversion; the subject comes before the verb:
- Correct: før gjestene kommer
- Incorrect: før kommer gjestene
What happens if I put the time clause first?
You must invert the main clause (V2) and add a comma:
- Før gjestene kommer, ordner jeg bordene.
Do I need a comma before før in the original sentence?
No. When the subordinate time clause follows the main clause and is tightly integrated, you don’t use a comma:
- Jeg ordner bordene før gjestene kommer. If the time clause comes first, you do use a comma: Før gjestene kommer, ordner jeg bordene.
What exactly does ordner mean with tables?
å ordne is broad: “arrange,” “set up,” “fix,” “take care of.” With tables it typically means preparing/arranging them (positioning, making ready), but not necessarily laying cutlery and plates.
How do I say “set the tables” or “clear the tables” specifically?
- “Set the tables (with plates/cutlery)” = dekker bordene
- “Clear the tables” = rydder bordene
- “Set up the tables (assemble/put them out)” = setter opp bordene
- “Get the tables ready” = gjør i stand bordene
Can I say ordner med bordene?
Yes. ordner med adds the nuance “take care of/see to.” Jeg ordner (med) bordene are both fine; without med sounds a bit more direct/hands-on.
Could I use ankommer instead of kommer?
You could, but ankommer is formal/official (e.g., trains). In everyday speech, use kommer: før gjestene kommer.
How do the verbs here conjugate?
- å ordne: ordner (present), ordnet/ordna (preterite), har ordnet/har ordna (perfect)
- å komme: kommer (present), kom (preterite), har kommet (perfect). You may see er kommet in older/literary style.
Where do adverbs go inside the time clause?
In subordinate clauses, adverbs generally come before the verb:
- før gjestene vanligvis kommer (“before the guests usually arrive”)
- Pattern: subject + adverb + verb (no V2).
How do you pronounce the sentence?
Approx. IPA (Eastern Norwegian): [jæi ˈɔɳnər ˈbuːɖənə føːr ˈjɛstənə ˈkɔmːər]
- gj in gjestene is a y-sound [j].
- rd in bordene often becomes a retroflex flap [ɖ].
- rn/dn in ordner often yields a retroflex nasal [ɳ].
- ø in før is the rounded vowel [øː].
Is jeg capitalized like English “I”?
No. jeg is only capitalized at the start of a sentence.
Can I say de bordene to mean “those tables”?
Yes:
- bordene = the tables
- de bordene = those tables (adds a demonstrative)
Is borda acceptable instead of bordene?
Yes, borda is an accepted Bokmål alternative, more informal/colloquial/regionally flavored. bordene is the safest neutral choice.
Can før be used with a noun phrase, and how is it different from innen?
- før works as a subjunction or a preposition:
- With a clause: før gjestene kommer
- With a noun phrase: før middag (“before dinner”)
- innen means “by (a deadline)”: Jeg er ferdig innen klokka seks. For events like arrivals, før is more natural: før gjestene kommer.