Questions & Answers about Timeplanen endres ofte om høsten.
Why is it Timeplanen and not en timeplan or just timeplan?
Because Norwegian uses the definite form when you mean “the (known/specific) schedule.” The noun timeplan is masculine, so:
- Indefinite singular: en timeplan (a schedule)
- Definite singular: timeplanen (the schedule)
- Indefinite plural: timeplaner (schedules)
- Definite plural: timeplanene (the schedules)
If you wanted a general statement about schedules in general, you could also use the plural: Timeplaner endres ofte om høsten.
What does endres mean, and how is it different from endrer, blir endret, and endrer seg?
- endres = s‑passive/medio‑passive: “changes / is changed.” It doesn’t name who changes it. Very natural here.
- endrer = active, transitive: needs an object. Example: Skolen endrer timeplanen.
- blir endret = periphrastic passive: “is/gets changed.” Example: Timeplanen blir ofte endret.
- endrer seg = reflexive: “changes (by itself).” Example: Timeplanen endrer seg ofte.
All are possible with slightly different nuance. endres and blir endret are the most neutral when no agent is mentioned. Note: the form endres is also used as a passive infinitive after modals: Planen kan endres.
Why is the verb second in the sentence?