To express unwavering loyalty no matter the circumstances, you can use a concessive relative clause with the auxiliary verb må (may).
Må is often known as "feel" (hur mår du?), but it also functions as a modal verb meaning "may." Here, it expresses concession—acknowledging a hypothetical scenario without changing the outcome. Like other modal verbs, it is followed by a bare infinitive.
| may (concessive auxiliary) | må |
"Whatever May Happen"
To say "whatever may happen" or "whoever it may be", pair a question word with än (ever) and må. If the question word is the subject of its clause, include the relative pronoun som.
- Formula: Question word + (som) + än
- må
- infinitive
- må
| The ceremony begins now, whatever may happen tonight. | Ceremonin börjar nu, vad som än må hända ikväll. |
| The loyalty to the brotherhood is eternal, whatever may occur. | Lojaliteten till brödraskapet är evig, vad som än må ske. |
Using Other Question Words
This structure works with any question word, such as vem (who), vilken/vilket/vilka (which), or hur (how/however). If the question word acts as an object or adverb, omit som.
| Whoever betrays the oath dies, whoever he may be. | Den som förråder eden dör, vem han än må vara. |
| I swear the oath, whatever risks we may take. | Jag svär eden, vilka risker vi än må ta. |
| The initiation tests our loyalty, however difficult it may feel. | Invigningen testar vår lojalitet, hur svårt det än må kännas. |
Sentence Placement and the V2 Rule
Concessive clauses often appear at the end of a sentence, but you can also place them at the beginning. When starting a sentence with a concessive clause, treat the entire clause as the first element of your sentence. According to the Swedish V2 rule, the main clause's verb must come immediately next.
| Whatever may happen after the ceremony, I will never betray the brotherhood. | Vad som än må hända efter ceremonin, ska jag aldrig förråda brödraskapet. |