Denne søknadsprosessen går raskere når identiteten er bekreftet digitalt.

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Questions & Answers about Denne søknadsprosessen går raskere når identiteten er bekreftet digitalt.

Why does Norwegian use Denne here, and what’s the difference between denne, den, and dette?

Denne means this and must match the gender/number of the noun it describes.

  • denne = this (common gender singular) → denne prosessen (this process)
  • dette = this (neuter singular) → dette huset (this house)
  • disse = these (plural) → disse søknadene (these applications)
    den (and det) usually mean that/it depending on context:
  • den (common) / det (neuter) can mean it when referring back to something: Prosessen er lang. Den tar tid. (The process is long. It takes time.)
  • den can also mean that: den prosessen (that process), but denne is this (closer/more immediate).

What is søknadsprosessen exactly, and why is it one long word?

Norwegian often forms compound nouns by stringing nouns together.

  • søknad = application
  • prosess = process
  • -en = the (definite ending)
    So søknadsprosessen means the application process.
    The -s- in the middle is a very common linking “s” in compounds (søknad + prosess → søknadsprosess). It doesn’t usually add meaning; it just helps the word flow.

Why does the noun have -en at the end? How does the definite form work?

Norwegian typically marks definiteness (the) on the end of the noun:

  • en prosess = a process
  • prosessen = the process

When you add an adjective/demonstrative like denne, Norwegian often uses double definiteness:

  • denne prosessen = this process
    (You see denne
    • the noun in definite form prosess-en.)

Why is it Denne søknadsprosessen and not Den denne søknadsprosessen or something with the?

Norwegian doesn’t use a separate word like English the in front of the noun in this structure. Instead, definiteness is shown by: 1) denne (this), and
2) the definite ending on the noun (-en).

So denne + prosess-en is the normal pattern: Denne … prosessen.


How does the verb går work here? It looks like goes, but the meaning is “is faster.”

(to go) is used in several idiomatic ways. With processes, machines, programs, etc., can mean to run / to proceed / to be in progress.
So Denne søknadsprosessen går raskere is like:

  • “This application process goes/proceeds faster,” i.e. “This process is faster / moves faster.”

You can also see similar usage in:

  • Hvordan går det? = How’s it going?
  • Møtet går bra. = The meeting is going well.

Why is it går raskere and not er raskere?

Both can be possible depending on nuance:

  • er raskere = focuses on the process’s general property (it is faster)
  • går raskere = focuses on how it proceeds in practice (it runs/moves along faster)

In many everyday contexts, går raskere sounds very natural for a process that “moves along.”


What does raskere mean grammatically? Is it a comparative?

Yes. rask = fast/quick

  • rask = fast
  • raskere = faster (comparative)
  • raskest = fastest (superlative)

Norwegian usually forms comparatives with -ere for many short adjectives.


Why is når used here, and does it mean “when” or “if”?

når can mean when (time) and sometimes functions like whenever / once. In sentences like this, it often implies a general condition:

  • “The process goes faster when/once the identity is confirmed digitally.”

If you mean a more explicit hypothetical if, Norwegian often uses hvis:

  • … hvis identiteten er bekreftet digitalt = … if the identity is confirmed digitally.

Here, når suggests that confirmation is expected/typical, not just a hypothetical possibility.


Why is it identiteten (definite) instead of identitet (indefinite)?

identiteten means the identity, i.e. a specific, understood identity: the applicant’s identity. Norwegian commonly uses the definite form when the noun is specific or understood from context:

  • Identiteten er bekreftet = The identity has been confirmed.

Using identitet would sound more abstract/general (like “identity” as a concept).


What is the structure er bekreftet—is that passive?

Yes, er bekreftet is a common passive-like structure:

  • bekrefte = to confirm
  • bekreftet = confirmed (past participle)
  • er bekreftet = is confirmed / has been confirmed (state resulting from confirmation)

Norwegian also has an -s passive (often more “event” focused):

  • Identiteten bekreftes digitalt = The identity is (being) confirmed digitally.

In your sentence, er bekreftet emphasizes the state: once it’s confirmed, the process goes faster.


Why does Norwegian say digitalt and not digital here?

digitalt is the neuter form of the adjective digital, used because it’s functioning like an adverb meaning “digitally.” Norwegian often uses the neuter adjective form as an adverb:

  • digital (adjective) → en digital løsning (a digital solution)
  • digitalt (adverb-like) → bekreftet digitalt (confirmed digitally)

You’ll see the same pattern with:

  • raskraskt (quickly)
  • tydeligtydelig (same form) / some adjectives don’t change.

Is the word order fixed? Could I place digitalt somewhere else?

The placement is fairly flexible, but different placements can change emphasis:

  • … når identiteten er bekreftet digitalt. (neutral)
  • … når identiteten digitalt er bekreftet. (possible but marked/less natural)
  • … når identiteten er digitalt bekreftet. (more like “digitally confirmed” as a set phrase)

The given version is the most natural everyday word order.


Why is søknadsprosessen singular? Could it be plural?

It’s singular because it refers to this one application process (e.g., the process for a particular service).
Plural is possible if you’re talking about multiple processes:

  • Disse søknadsprosessene går raskere når identiteten er bekreftet digitalt.
    = These application processes go faster when the identity is digitally confirmed.

How do I know the gender of prosess and identitet, and does it matter here?

Both prosess and identitet are typically common gender nouns:

  • en prosessprosessen
  • en identitetidentiteten

Gender matters because it affects:

  • the indefinite article (en/ei/et)
  • the definite ending (-en/-a/-et)
  • demonstratives (denne/dette)

That’s why you get Denne … prosessen (common gender) rather than Dette … (neuter).


Is bekreftet a past tense verb here? Why does it look like “confirmed” but uses er?

bekreftet is a past participle, not the simple past tense. The simple past would be:

  • Identiteten ble bekreftet (digitalt). = The identity was confirmed (digitally).

With er, it forms a result/state construction:

  • Identiteten er bekreftet (digitalt). = The identity is confirmed / has been confirmed (and is now in the confirmed state).