Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Swedish grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Ibland jobbar jag sent.
What does Ibland mean in this sentence?
Ibland is an adverb of frequency meaning sometimes. It shows that the action happens occasionally.
Why is Ibland placed at the beginning of the sentence?
Swedish main clauses follow the verb-second (V2) rule. By putting the time adverb Ibland first, the finite verb jobbar automatically moves into the second position.
Why does the verb jobbar come before the subject jag here?
Because of the V2 rule: the finite verb always occupies the second slot in a main clause. After the fronted adverb Ibland, jobbar must be second, so jag follows.
Why is the verb in the present tense (jobbar), even though it describes occasional late shifts?
Swedish uses the present tense for both ongoing and habitual actions. There is no separate continuous tense. Ibland jobbar jag sent covers the English I sometimes work late as a habitual statement.
What does sent mean in this context, and what part of speech is it?
sent is an adverb of time meaning late. It modifies jobbar by indicating when the work happens.
What’s the difference between sent and sen?
• sent = late (standard adverb for time), as in Ibland jobbar jag sent
• sen = colloquial for senare or efter (meaning later or afterwards), so not interchangeable here
Can I drop the subject jag and say Ibland jobbar sent?
No. Swedish requires an explicit subject in main clauses. You must include jag.
Could I replace jobbar with arbetar?
Yes. arbeta is a more formal synonym. Ibland arbetar jag sent is perfectly correct, just slightly more formal in tone.
How do you pronounce Ibland jobbar jag sent?
IPA: [ˈɪblɑnd ˈjɔbːar jɑː sɛnt]
Approximation: IB-lahnd YOB-bar yah sent
- Ibland: short i, stress on first syllable
- jobbar: long vowel, stress on first syllable
- jag: sounds like yah
- sent: like English sent
Where would you place sent if you add more time information, for example på kvällen?
You normally keep sent right after the verb, then add other phrases:
Ibland jobbar jag sent på kvällen