The passive voice for instructions (-s)
When reading a Swedish operating manual or recipe, you will notice instructions are often in the passive voice. Instead of saying "You open the box," Swedish typically says "The box is opened."
To form the present tense passive, drop the active verb's final -r (or -er) and add -s. For example, öppnar (opens) becomes öppnas (is opened).
| First, the box is opened. | Först öppnas lådan. |
| First the manual is read, then the parts are assembled. | Först läses manualen, sedan monteras delarna. |
Particle verbs in the passive
Many instructions rely on particle verbs (a verb paired with a small word like in or fast). Attach the -s to the main verb; the particle remains a separate word.
| The cord is not plugged in. | Sladden kopplas inte in. |
| Then the part is screwed tight. | Sedan skruvas delen fast. |
Time: A quarter past
To specify when an action occurs, use kvart över (a quarter past). You will often see the word klockan (the clock) placed directly before the time.
| The machine is started at a quarter past ten. | Maskinen startas klockan kvart över tio. |
Time expressions can appear at the end or beginning of a sentence. If the time comes first, remember the V2 rule and invert the subject and verb.
| At a quarter past eight, the door is opened. | Kvart över åtta öppnas dörren. |
| Is the cord pulled out at a quarter past five? | Dras sladden ut kvart över fem? |