Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Swedish grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Jag kommer till biblioteket.
How is the definite article applied to the noun bibliotek in this sentence?
In Swedish, the definite article is incorporated into the noun rather than being a separate word. Here, bibliotek (library) becomes biblioteket for its definite form by adding the suffix -et.
What does the preposition till mean, and why is it used here?
The word till translates to "to" in English. It is used to indicate direction or destination—in this case, directing the movement toward biblioteket (the library).
What tense is indicated by the verb kommer, and does it refer to a present or a future action?
The verb kommer is the present tense form of komma (to come). In Swedish, this form can be used both for an ongoing present action ("I am coming") and to imply a future action depending on context. So, "Jag kommer till biblioteket" may be understood as "I am coming to the library" or "I will come to the library" based on the situation.
How is the word order in "Jag kommer till biblioteket" structured compared to English?
The sentence follows a clear subject-verb-adverb (or prepositional phrase) order, which is very similar to English. Jag (I) is the subject, kommer (come/am coming) is the verb, and till biblioteket (to the library) acts as a directional phrase. This order makes the sentence straightforward and easy to follow for learners.
Could the sentence be expressed with a different verb, such as går, and how would that change its meaning?
Yes, you could say "Jag går till biblioteket," but that changes the nuance. Går means "go" or "walk," so it specifically implies that the speaker is walking to the library. Using kommer emphasizes the act of coming toward the destination, which might be chosen to convey a different aspect of movement or perspective.
Do I need to add a separate word for "the" before biblioteket in Swedish, as we do in English?
No, you do not. In Swedish, the definite article is attached to the noun as a suffix (in this case, -et) rather than being a separate word. Thus, biblioteket already means "the library" without needing an extra article.