Questions & Answers about Bussen kom for tidlig i dag.
Why is it “Bussen” and not a separate word for “the bus”?
Norwegian usually marks definiteness with a suffix on the noun. For buss (bus), the forms are:
- Indefinite singular: en buss
- Definite singular: bussen (the bus)
- Indefinite plural: busser
- Definite plural: bussene
You can also say den bussen when you want to point to a very specific bus (“that bus” / “the particular bus we mean”), but plain bussen is the normal way to say “the bus.”
What are the principal forms of the verb here?
The verb is komme (to come).
- Infinitive: komme
- Present: kommer
- Preterite (simple past): kom
- Present perfect: har kommet
Why is it “kom” and not “har kommet”? When do I use each?
- kom (simple past) states a finished event in the past, even if it happened earlier today.
- har kommet (present perfect) emphasizes current relevance/result or an unspecified time in the past. Both can appear with “i dag,” but:
- Bussen kom i dag. = It arrived earlier today (simple statement).
- Bussen har kommet i dag. = It has arrived today (focus on the fact/result today, e.g., news).
With a precise past time like “i går,” you strongly prefer simple past: Bussen kom i går.