Learn Hardcore Swedish: Det är viktigt att komma i tid, annars tar vi taxi istället. - It is important to arrive on time, otherwise we take a taxi instead.

Because the sentence starts with the dummy subject det. In Swedish, when you use this expletive det (it) and make a general statement like this, the predicative adjective takes the neuter singular form: viktigt.

Base form: viktig (common gender)
Neuter: viktigt (used after dummy det)
Plural/definite: viktiga Compare:
Det är viktigt.
Saken är viktig.
Sakerna är viktiga.

What is att doing here, and how is it pronounced?

Here att is the infinitive marker, equivalent to English “to” in “to come.” In everyday speech, it’s often pronounced weakly, close to å. You still write att in standard spelling.

Infinitive marker: att komma (to come)
Complementizer “that”: att jag vet (that I know) — often dropped in speech. In casual speech, you’ll hear: … att komma … ≈ … å komma …

Why is it komma i tid and not something like på tid or på tiden?

The idiomatic way to say “on time” is i tid. Some related phrases:

komma i tid = arrive on time
komma sent / komma för sent = be late / be too late
i god tid = in good time, with time to spare Be careful: Det är på tiden means “It’s about time,” which is a different expression.

Why is it tar vi and not vi tar after annars?

Swedish main clauses follow the V2 rule: the finite verb must be in second position. When you front an adverbial like annars (otherwise), the verb comes next, then the subject:

Annars
- verb + subject + … → Annars tar vi taxi … If you don’t front anything: Vi tar taxi …

Is the comma before annars necessary?

You’re separating two main clauses. A comma before annars is standard and recommended here. A semicolon would also work in more formal writing:

…, annars …
…; annars …

What exactly does annars mean here, and are there alternatives?

Here annars means “otherwise / or else.” Common alternatives:

om inte (if not): …, om inte tar vi …
i annat fall (in that case otherwise; more formal)
eller så (or else, conversational): …, eller så tar vi … Note annars can also mean “other than that”: Annars är allt bra (Other than that, everything is fine).

Why tar … taxi? Could I say åker taxi? Do I need en: en taxi?

ta taxi is a very common collocation meaning “take a cab.”
åka taxi is equally fine and maybe a bit more literal (“ride/go by taxi”).
Article choice:
- tar vi taxi = talking about the mode of transport in general (no article).
- tar vi en taxi = one taxi specifically (counting a vehicle). All are idiomatic: tar vi taxi, tar vi en taxi, åker vi taxi.

Should it be istället or i stället, and where do I place it?

Both spellings are acceptable today: istället (one word) and i stället (two words). With för (“instead of”), the standard written form is i stället för. Placement: it’s a VP adverbial, so it most naturally comes after the object:

Most natural: Annars tar vi taxi i stället.
Possible but less neutral: Annars tar vi i stället taxi.

Does having both annars and istället sound redundant?

No. Annars sets up the consequence (“otherwise”), while i stället emphasizes the alternative action. You can drop i stället without breaking the sentence, but keeping it adds a natural emphasis:

Minimal: …, annars tar vi taxi.
With emphasis: …, annars tar vi taxi i stället.

Could I say Det är viktigt att du kommer i tid instead?

Yes.

Det är viktigt att komma i tid = a general statement (it’s important to arrive on time).
Det är viktigt att du kommer i tid = directed at a specific person (“you”). Both are correct; choose based on whether you want a general rule or a direct instruction.

What’s the difference between komma i tid and vara i tid?

komma i tid focuses on the act of arriving on time.
vara i tid focuses on being on time (state), often implying you’re already there when you should be. Both work with the adjective: Det är viktigt att komma/vara i tid.

Why is tar in the present if it refers to the future?

Swedish frequently uses present tense for near-future plans, especially when the context makes the time clear:

Annars tar vi taxi ≈ “otherwise we’ll take a taxi.” You could also use:
Annars ska vi ta taxi (intention/plan)
Annars kommer vi att ta taxi (neutral prediction)
Annars får vi ta taxi (we’ll have to take a taxi; necessity)

Any pronunciation tips for this sentence?

att (infinitive) is often pronounced weakly, close to å before a verb.
annars merges r+s into a retroflex sound; think “anna(sh).”
tar has a long a sound.
komma has a long consonant: “kom-ma” with a clear double m.
tid has a long i; the final d is pronounced in standard speech.
istället/i stället stresses the second syllable: i-STÄL-let.

When can I omit att before an infinitive, and can I omit it here?

You can omit att after modal and similar verbs: kan, vill, måste, ska, bör, etc.

Vi kan komma i tid. (no att) But after adjectives like viktigt, you need att:
Det är viktigt att komma i tid. (you can’t drop att here)

Can I start with the infinitive clause: Att komma i tid är viktigt?

Yes. That’s perfectly correct and slightly more formal or written in tone. Using dummy det is the most common everyday pattern:

Att komma i tid är viktigt. (fronted subject clause)
Det är viktigt att komma i tid. (dummy subject)