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Breakdown of Antingen tar vi bussen från stationen, eller så går vi hemifrån.
gå
to go
eller
or
vi
we
ta
to take
hemifrån
from home
stationen
the station
bussen
the bus
antingen
either
från
from
så
then
Questions & Answers about Antingen tar vi bussen från stationen, eller så går vi hemifrån.
Why is the verb before the subject in “tar vi” and “går vi”?
Swedish main clauses follow the V2 rule: the finite verb goes in second position. In the first clause, Antingen is the first element, so the verb must be next: Antingen tar vi .... In the second clause, så occupies the first slot, so you get ... eller så går vi .... Without an initial element, the default order is subject–verb: Vi tar .... Note that Tar vi ...? would be a yes/no question.
What does the så after eller do? Can I drop it?
Så is a resumptive/linking adverb meaning roughly “then/so,” and it clearly starts a new main clause. It’s very common in speech and informal writing. You can omit it, but then choose a structure that reads smoothly:
- Antingen tar vi bussen från stationen eller går hemifrån.
- Antingen tar vi bussen från stationen, eller också går vi hemifrån. (more formal)
Do I need the comma before eller?
When you join two independent main clauses (as with ... , eller så ...), a comma is normally used. If you collapse the sentence into one clause with a shared subject, you don’t use a comma:
- With two main clauses: Antingen tar vi bussen från stationen, eller så går vi hemifrån.
- One clause, shared subject: Vi tar antingen bussen från stationen eller går hemifrån.
Can I put antingen somewhere else?
Yes. You can keep it in the forefield or move it inside the clause:
- Antingen tar vi bussen från stationen, eller så går vi hemifrån.
- Vi tar antingen bussen från stationen eller går hemifrån.
Can I omit the second vi?
- If you keep så, you must keep the subject: ..., eller så går vi hemifrån.
- If you remove så and both parts share the same subject, you can omit it: Vi tar antingen bussen från stationen eller går hemifrån.
What’s the difference between ta bussen and åka buss?
- ta bussen = “take/catch the bus” (often a specific bus/route/time; emphasizes the choice to take that means of transport).
- åka buss = “travel by bus” (mode of transport in general). Avoid åka bussen (odd in standard Swedish). If you need an object-like phrase, use åka med bussen (“ride the bus”).
Why are bussen and stationen in the definite form?
Because the context implies specific, known referents: “the bus” and “the station.” Using indefinites (en buss, en station) would sound like you don’t have particular ones in mind. Definite forms are natural when both speakers know which bus/station is meant.
Why hemifrån and not “från hemma” or something with hem?
Swedish distinguishes:
- hem = home(wards), direction to home (e.g., gå hem “go home”).
- hemma = at home, location (e.g., vara hemma “be at home”).
- hemifrån = from home, origin. So you say gå hemifrån, not “från hemma.” You could say från hemmet, but it’s much less idiomatic than hemifrån.
Can I use ifrån instead of från? And is “hemfrån” okay?
- ifrån is a variant of från. With plain nouns, från is the neutral modern choice (från stationen). ifrån stationen is possible but can feel more old-fashioned/dialectal.
- The fixed form is hemifrån (one word). “hemfrån” is not standard.
Does gå hemifrån mean we’re walking? What if we’re leaving by car?
Yes, gå means “walk,” so gå hemifrån implies leaving on foot. If you leave by vehicle, use åka hemifrån. Compare:
- gå hem = walk home (destination is home).
- gå hemifrån = walk from home (origin is home).
Why från stationen and not på stationen?
från marks origin (“from the station”), which is what you want for a departure. på stationen means “at the station” (location). You might hear ta bussen på stationen, but to express where the bus departs from, från stationen is the idiomatic choice.
Is “Antingen så tar vi ...” correct?
It’s very common in speech. Some style guides consider så after antingen redundant and prefer:
- Antingen tar vi bussen från stationen, eller också går vi hemifrån.
- Vi tar antingen bussen från stationen eller går hemifrån. In everyday Swedish, Antingen så ... is fine; for formal writing, prefer the alternatives above.
What part of speech is antingen, and where can it go?
antingen is a correlative focusing word that pairs with eller to introduce alternatives. Placement:
- Forefield: Antingen tar vi ...
- Inside the clause: Vi tar antingen ... It doesn’t stand alone; it needs its partner eller.
Why not “Eller så vi går hemifrån”?
Because of V2. After så, the finite verb must come immediately: Eller så går vi hemifrån, not “så vi går.”
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