Word order with auxiliary verbs
In a Swedish main clause, the conjugated verb always takes the second position. When you use an auxiliary verb—like har (have), kan (can), or får (may/must)—it takes that second spot, and the main verb is pushed later in the sentence.
When you add a negating word like inte (not) or aldrig (never), it goes right in the middle: after the auxiliary verb, but before the main verb.
| Management has not approved the decision. | Ledningen har inte godkänt beslutet. |
| We cannot sign the agreement. | Vi kan inte skriva under avtalet. |
Handling objects and longer verb phrases
The object of the sentence comes after the main verb. This rule stays exactly the same even if the main verb is a particle verb (like skriva under) or links to an infinitive verb phrase (like vägra att godkänna). The negation remains locked in its place after the auxiliary verb.
| You must not refuse to approve the change. | Du får inte vägra att godkänna förändringen. |
| One must never force a child. | Man får aldrig tvinga ett barn. |
Stacking sentence adverbs
Words that color the tone of a sentence—like väl (surely) or nog (probably)—are called sentence adverbs. When you use one alongside inte, they share the space between the auxiliary and the main verb. The tone word usually comes right before inte.
| You surely cannot sign the agreement? | Du kan väl inte skriva under avtalet? |
| Management has probably not refused to approve the change. | Ledningen har nog inte vägrat att godkänna förändringen. |
Describing rules and states
This exact same word order applies when your main verb is vara (to be) paired with an adjective, which is especially useful when explaining what is or isn't permitted.
| That exception cannot be forbidden. | Det där undantaget kan inte vara förbjudet. |
| It must not be forbidden. | Det får inte vara förbjudet. |