Jeg kan ikke gå fra barna.

I cannot leave the children.

Breakdown of Jeg kan ikke gå fra barna.

• jeg: I
• barnet: the child
• kunne: can
• ikke: not

Questions & Answers about Jeg kan ikke gå fra barna.

Why is it gå fra and not just gå?

Because gå fra functions like a phrasal verb meaning “to leave, walk away from, or abandon” someone/something. On its own, gå just means “walk/go.” With fra (from), it becomes idiomatic: gå fra barna = “leave the kids (behind).” It’s also used for relationships: gå fra kjæresten = “leave/break up with your partner.”

Where does ikke go when there is a modal like kan?

In main clauses, the finite verb is in second position (V2). The modal kan is the finite verb, so ikke comes after it: Jeg kan ikke …. Affirmative would be Jeg kan gå fra barna. With something fronted, it’s still V2: Nå kan jeg ikke gå fra barna.

Should there be å before gå?

No. After modals (kan, skal, vil, må, bør and their past forms), the infinitive has no å: kan gå, må dra, etc. With non-modals you use å: jeg prøver å gå fra barna.

Does kan ikke mean “not allowed to” or “not able to”?