Vi bekrefter avtalen skriftlig.

We confirm the appointment in writing.

Breakdown of Vi bekrefter avtalen skriftlig.

• vi: we
• avtalen: the appointment
• bekrefte: to confirm
• skriftlig: in writing

Questions & Answers about Vi bekrefter avtalen skriftlig.

What does each word in Vi bekrefter avtalen skriftlig literally mean?

Word by word:

• Vi = we
• bekrefter = confirm / are confirming
• avtalen = the agreement (from en avtale = an agreement)
• skriftlig = in writing / written(ly)

So the whole sentence is literally: We confirm the agreement in writing.

Why is it avtalen and not en avtale?

Norwegian uses the definite form when a specific, known thing is meant.

• en avtale = an agreement (any agreement, not specified)
• avtalen = the agreement (a particular agreement both sides know about)

In a real context, this sentence would usually refer to a specific contract you already talked about, so Norwegian needs the definite form avtalen.

What tense is bekrefter, and does it only mean present?

Bekrefter is the present tense of å bekrefte (to confirm).

It can mean:

• Present action:

  • Vi bekrefter avtalen skriftlig. = We are confirming the agreement in writing (now / as we speak).

• General or repeated action:

  • We (always) confirm agreements in writing.

• Near future / scheduled:
  Depending on context, it can also be understood as future, similar to English We’ll confirm..., especially in formal written Norwegian.

So it doesn’t strictly have to be “right now”; it’s the same flexible present tense you see in many Norwegian sentences.

What is the infinitive of bekrefter, and how is å bekrefte conjugated?

The verb is:

• Infinitive: å bekrefte = to confirm

Common forms:

• jeg/du/vi/de bekrefter – I/you/we/they confirm
• han/hun bekrefter – he/she confirms
• jeg bekreftet – I confirmed (past)
• jeg har bekreftet – I have confirmed (present perfect)
• jeg vil/skal bekrefte – I will confirm (future with a modal verb)

Norwegian does not change the present tense ending according to person, so it’s always bekrefter with I, you, he, we, etc.

What exactly is skriftlig here – an adjective or an adverb?

In form, skriftlig is an adjective meaning written.

• en skriftlig bekreftelse = a written confirmation (adjective before a noun)

In this sentence, though, skriftlig is used adverbially, describing how the agreement is confirmed:

• Vi bekrefter avtalen skriftlig.
  = We confirm the agreement in writing / in a written form.

Norwegian often uses adjectives in this way as adverbs, without changing their form.

Can I say Vi skriftlig bekrefter avtalen instead? Is that correct?

It’s grammatically possible, but it sounds unnatural and quite marked.

The normal, neutral word order is:

• Vi bekrefter avtalen skriftlig.

Putting skriftlig before the verb (Vi skriftlig bekrefter avtalen) sounds like you’re trying to emphasize written in a poetic or very stylized way. In everyday speech and normal writing, avoid that order.

Where does skriftlig usually go in the sentence?

In a simple main clause like this, skriftlig (a manner adverbial) typically goes after the object:

• Vi bekrefter avtalen skriftlig.

If the object is a pronoun, it’s still common to keep skriftlig at the end:

• Vi bekrefter den skriftlig. = We confirm it in writing.

You might move skriftlig to the front only for special emphasis:

• Skriftlig bekrefter vi avtalen. (unusual, but possible in very formal or stylistic contexts, stressing in writing).

How would I say “We will confirm the agreement in writing” instead of a plain present tense?

You can add a modal verb:

Common options:

1. Vi skal bekrefte avtalen skriftlig.

   • Often: We will/shall confirm the agreement in writing.
   • skal can imply a plan, duty, or something agreed.

2. Vi vil bekrefte avtalen skriftlig.

   • We will confirm the agreement in writing.
   • vil can sound slightly more like intention or willingness.

3. Vi kommer til å bekrefte avtalen skriftlig.

   • We are going to confirm the agreement in writing.
   • Neutral prediction of what will happen.

All are correct; choice depends on nuance and context.

Is this sentence formal or informal? In what context would Norwegians use it?

Vi bekrefter avtalen skriftlig is neutral to formal.

Typical contexts:

• Business emails
  
  • Vi bekrefter avtalen skriftlig i løpet av uken.
• Contracts or legal letters
  
  • Vi bekrefter avtalen skriftlig med vedlagt dokument.

In very casual spoken language, people would more often say something like:

• Vi sender en skriftlig bekreftelse. = We’ll send a written confirmation.

How do I say “We do not confirm the agreement in writing”? Where does ikke go?

The normal placement of ikke (not) here is after the verb:

• Vi bekrefter ikke avtalen skriftlig.
  = We do not confirm the agreement in writing.

Word order:

• Vi (subject)
• bekrefter (verb)
• ikke (negation)
• avtalen (object)
• skriftlig (adverbial of manner)

Can I replace avtalen with a pronoun, like den? How would that affect the sentence?

Yes. If the agreement has already been mentioned, you can refer to it with den:

• Vi bekrefter den skriftlig.
  = We confirm it in writing.

The meaning stays the same; you just avoid repeating avtalen.

Note that the word order is still natural with den before skriftlig. It would be odd to say:

• ✗ Vi bekrefter skriftlig den. (unnatural)

Is there a more “expanded” way to say the same thing in Norwegian?

Yes, you can make it a bit more explicit or formal:

• Vi gir en skriftlig bekreftelse på avtalen.
  = We will give a written confirmation of the agreement.

or

• Vi bekrefter skriftlig at vi har inngått avtale.
  = We confirm in writing that we have entered into an agreement.

These are stylistic variations; the original sentence is already clear and correct.