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Questions & Answers about Det fungerar inte utan kvitto.
What does det refer to here?
Here det is a dummy subject (expletive). It doesn’t point to kvitto or any specific noun; it just fills the required subject slot in Swedish. You’re talking about a situation in context (that/it won’t work), and Swedish needs a subject, so det is used.
Why is inte placed after fungerar?
Swedish main clauses follow the V2 rule: the finite verb is in second position. Sentence adverbs like inte usually come right after that verb. So: Subject (Det) – Verb (fungerar) – Adverb (inte) – Rest (utan kvitto). If you front another element, the verb still stays second: Utan kvitto fungerar det inte.
Can I say Det går inte utan kvitto? Is it the same?
Yes. Det går inte is very idiomatic for not being possible and is common for policies or rules. Det fungerar inte suggests something literally doesn’t function. Both work; går is often more natural in this context.
What about Det funkar inte — is that okay?
Yes. funkar is the colloquial verb that means the same as fungerar. It’s fine in speech and informal writing; on signs or in formal text, prefer fungerar (or går).
Why is there no article before kvitto? Could I say utan ett kvitto?
After utan meaning without, Swedish typically uses a bare noun for a general requirement: utan kvitto, utan hjälm, utan biljett. You can say utan ett kvitto, but it sounds more specific or contrastive (emphasizing a single, countable receipt). If you mean a particular known receipt, use the definite form: utan kvittot.
What gender is kvitto, and what are its forms?
Neuter noun:
- ett kvitto (indefinite singular)
- kvittot (definite singular)
- kvitton (indefinite plural)
- kvittona (definite plural)
Can inte go at the end, like Det fungerar utan kvitto inte?
No. In standard Swedish, inte doesn’t go sentence-final like that. Keep it after the finite verb: Det fungerar inte utan kvitto. With fronting: Utan kvitto fungerar det inte.
Is utan a preposition here? Does it have other uses?
Yes, here utan is a preposition meaning without and takes a noun phrase (utan kvitto). It is also a conjunction in the pattern inte X utan Y (not X but rather Y): Vi tar inte kontanter, utan kort.
Can I omit det and just say Fungerar inte utan kvitto?
Not in normal speech or writing—Swedish requires the subject. On signs and labels you’ll see ellipses like Gäller ej utan kvitto, but in full sentences keep det.
How do I say “without showing a receipt”?
Use utan att + infinitive:
- Det fungerar inte utan att visa kvitto. If you mean a specific receipt, use the definite: utan att visa upp kvittot.
Could I use gäller instead of fungerar?
Yes, if you mean applies/is valid. Very common in store policy language:
- Öppet köp gäller inte utan kvitto.
Any pronunciation tips for fungerar and kvitto?
- fungerar: stress on the second syllable (fun-GE-rar). The ng is like English singer, and here you actually get an [ŋg] sequence; a good approximation is [fʉŋˈɡeːrar].
- kvitto: double tt makes the preceding vowel short and the t long: [ˈkvɪtːʊ]. Initial kv is like k + v.
What’s the opposite of utan in this sense?
med. For example: Det fungerar med kvitto.
How do tenses and questions look with this pattern?
- Present: Det fungerar inte utan kvitto.
- Past: Det fungerade inte utan kvitto.
- Perfect: Det har inte fungerat utan kvitto.
- Future: Det kommer inte att fungera utan kvitto.
- Yes–no question: Fungerar det utan kvitto? / Går det utan kvitto?