Doing Things "With" Tools
In English, we say that we cut with scissors or take a photo with a camera. Swedish uses the exact same structure. To indicate the tool, instrument, or method used to perform an action, use the preposition med (with).
| He always cuts the fabric with the scissors himself. | Han klipper alltid tyget med saxen själv. |
| We paint the house with a large paintbrush. | Vi målar huset med en stor pensel. |
| I take the photo with my new camera. | Jag tar fotot med min nya kamera. |
When talking about a general instrument or method rather than a specific physical object, Swedish often drops the article entirely. This is common with eating utensils or modes of transportation.
| They eat the soup with a spoon. | De äter soppan med sked. |
Materials and Repairs
The preposition med is also used for the materials you use to create or fix something, such as glue, yarn, or clay.
| Broken books are often repaired with glue or tape. | Trasiga böcker lagas ofta med lim eller tejp. |
| She sews the dress with needle and thread. | Hon syr klänningen med nål och tråd. |
| I repair the pot with the clay. | Jag reparerar krukan med leran. |
Prepositions at the End of Sentences
When describing an object based on what you do with it—using a relative clause starting with som (that/which)—the preposition med naturally falls at the end of the phrase. This works exactly like saying "the pen that you write with" in English.
| The paintbrush that you paint with is new. | Penseln som du målar med är ny. |
| The scissors that you cut with are missing. | Saxen som du klipper med saknas. |