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Questions & Answers about Familjen växer.
What does familjen mean, and how is it formed in Swedish?
familjen means "the family." In Swedish, a noun like familj (family) becomes definite by adding the suffix -en. This suffix serves a similar purpose to the English word "the."
How is the verb växer conjugated, and what tense does it represent?
växer is the present tense, third-person singular form of the verb växa (to grow). In Swedish, the simple present is used to describe actions occurring right now, so växer can be translated as either "grows" or "is growing."
Why doesn't Swedish require an auxiliary verb equivalent to the English "is" before the verb in this sentence?
In Swedish, the present tense form (växer) alone is sufficient to indicate an ongoing or general action. Unlike English, which often uses the auxiliary "is" to form the present progressive (as in "is growing"), Swedish uses the simple present to cover both habitual and progressive meanings.
Is familjen considered singular or plural, and how does that affect the verb agreement?
Despite referring to a group of people, familjen is treated as a singular noun in Swedish. Consequently, the verb växer is correctly conjugated in the singular form to agree with its subject.
Can Familjen växer. be interpreted in more than one way, and how does context influence its meaning?
Yes, the sentence can be interpreted both literally and metaphorically. It might refer to family members physically growing (for example, children getting taller) or it could indicate that the family is expanding (such as by welcoming new members). Context is key to understanding the intended meaning.