Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Denne siden gir en god oversikt over timeplanen. - This page gives a good overview of the schedule.

Because side is a common-gender noun (an “en-word”), so it takes the common-gender demonstrative denne. The neuter demonstrative dette is used with neuter nouns (et-words).

Common gender: denne siden
Neuter: dette huset
Plural (any gender): disse sidene

Why is it denne siden (definite) and not denne side?

With demonstratives (denne/dette/disse), the noun is normally in the definite form in modern Bokmål. So you say denne siden, dette huset, disse bøkene. Forms like denne side are old-fashioned/officialese.

Does siden also mean “since”? How do I tell the difference?

Yes, siden can mean “since” (a conjunction/adverb), but in this sentence it’s clearly a noun in the definite form because it follows denne and is the subject: Denne siden. The conjunction siden (“since/because”) cannot be preceded by denne.

Why is there an en before god oversikt? Can I drop it?

Both are possible:

gir en god oversikt treats “overview” as a countable thing (“an overview”).
gir god oversikt treats it more like a general quality (“good overview/clarity”). Both are idiomatic; with en it’s a bit more concrete, without en a bit more general.

Why is timeplanen in the definite form?

Because it refers to a specific, known schedule (the one relevant in context). Norwegian often uses the definite form for known, specific referents.

Specific: oversikt over timeplanen (the schedule)
General/plural: oversikt over timeplaner (schedules in general)
Specific plural: oversikt over timeplanene (the specific schedules already mentioned)

Why is the preposition over used with oversikt? Could I use om, av, or på?

The set phrase is (en) oversikt over something. Om and av don’t work here. På can work in other meanings (e.g., oversikten på siden = “the overview on the page”), but not in the collocation with oversikt meaning “overview of.”

What’s the verb gir exactly, and how does å gi conjugate?

Gir is the present of å gi (“to give/provide”).

Infinitive: å gi
Present: gir
Preterite: ga (also gav)
Past participle: gitt Examples: Siden ga/gav en god oversikt…; Siden har gitt en god oversikt…

What are the genders and basic forms of the nouns here?

side (common gender): en side – siden; plural: sider – sidene
oversikt (common gender): en oversikt – oversikten; plural: oversikter – oversiktene
timeplan (common gender): en timeplan – timeplanen; plural: timeplaner – timeplanene Note: With denne/dette/disse, use the definite forms: denne siden, disse sidene, etc.

Can I use bra instead of god?

Often yes, but there’s a nuance. Attributively, god is the neutral, slightly more formal choice: en god oversikt. En bra oversikt is common in speech/informal writing. Predicatively, both work: Oversikten er god/bra. For an idiomatic, neutral tone, en god oversikt is ideal.

Where would ikke go if I want to negate the sentence?

Place ikke after the finite verb (gir):

Denne siden gir ikke (en) god oversikt over timeplanen. If you front another element (for emphasis), the verb still stays in second position:
Over timeplanen gir denne siden ikke (en) god oversikt.

Could I say Denne siden har en god oversikt… instead of gir?

You can, but it changes the nuance:

gir = “provides/offers,” focusing on what the page does for the reader (most natural here).
har = “has/contains,” focusing on what the page possesses. Acceptable, but less idiomatic for this exact meaning.

What’s the difference between time and tid, and between timeplan and tidsplan?

time = a lesson/class hour or a 60‑minute period; also an appointment (e.g., doctor’s time).
tid = time (the general concept).
timeplan = class schedule/timetable (school, courses).
tidsplan = timeline/time schedule for tasks or a project plan, not a school roster.

Can I say denne sida instead of denne siden?

Yes, if you consistently use the feminine forms that Bokmål allows:

Masculine/common: en side – siden
Feminine: ei side – sida So denne sida is fine in Bokmål if you prefer feminine endings. Both styles are acceptable; masculine/common is more neutral/standard in writing.

Are compounds written together in Norwegian, like timeplanen?

Yes. Norwegian writes compounds as one word: timeplanen (not “time planen”). Other examples: skoleplan, arbeidsplan, programoversikt.

How do I pronounce the key words?

Approximate Oslo-area pronunciations (IPA-like):

Denne [ˈdɛnːə]
siden [ˈsiːdən]
gir [jiːr]
en [en]
god [ɡuː]
oversikt [ˈuːvərsɪkt]
over [ˈuːvər]
timeplanen [ˈtiːməˌplɑːnən] Note: Pronunciation varies by region.

Can I move over timeplanen to the front?

Grammatically yes, for focus/emphasis:

Over timeplanen gir denne siden en god oversikt. This is less neutral than the original SVO order, but perfectly correct. Use it when you want to emphasize the object of the overview.