Breakdown of Jag vet att du kan cykla snabbare.
jag
I
du
you
kunna
can
veta
to know
cykla
to bike
snabb
fast
att
that
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Questions & Answers about Jag vet att du kan cykla snabbare.
What is the role of "att" in this sentence?
"Att" functions as a conjunction that introduces the subordinate clause. In English, it is similar to the word "that." In this sentence, it connects the main clause "Jag vet" (I know) with the subordinate clause "du kan cykla snabbare" (you can cycle faster).
Why is the adjective "snabbare" used instead of "snabb"?
"Snabbare" is the comparative form of "snabb" (fast), meaning "faster." Just as in English we compare with "fast" versus "faster," Swedish forms the comparative by adding "-are" to the adjective.
How does the modal verb "kan" work in this sentence?
"Kan" means "can" and is used similarly to how modal verbs function in English. It helps express ability or potential, and it is placed before the main verb "cykla" (cycle) without requiring any additional auxiliary forms.
What is the overall structure of the sentence "Jag vet att du kan cykla snabbare"?
The sentence consists of a main clause and a subordinate clause. The main clause is "Jag vet" (I know), and the subordinate clause is "att du kan cykla snabbare" (that you can cycle faster). The subordinate clause is introduced by "att," and it maintains a subject–verb–object order, typical for Swedish sentence construction.
Is it possible to omit "att" in such sentences?
While some languages allow omitting certain conjunctions in informal speech, in Swedish the use of "att" after verbs like "vet" (know) is generally required for clarity and correct grammar. In standard practice, you should include "att" to properly connect the clauses.