Learn Swedish: Han väljer alltid mörka skärp.

skärp is an ett-word (a neuter noun) that ends in a consonant. In Swedish, these words look exactly the same in their singular and plural indefinite forms (one belt = ett skärp, belts = skärp). We know it is plural in this sentence because the adjective describing it, mörka, is in the plural form.

Why does the adjective mörk have an -a at the end here?

Because it is describing a plural noun. When you place an adjective directly in front of a plural noun, it takes the plural ending -a. This rule applies regardless of whether the noun is an en-word or an ett-word.

Why does alltid come after väljer, when in English we say 'always chooses'?

In a standard Swedish sentence, the main verb is always in the second position (known as the V2 rule). Because the subject Han is in the first position, the verb väljer must come immediately next. Short adverbs like alltid (always) or inte (not) are then placed right after the verb.

How is the sk at the beginning of skärp pronounced?

It is pronounced with a 'sh'-like sound. When sk is followed by a soft vowel like ä, it softens into a sound known as the sje-sound, rather than the hard 'sk' sound you hear in the English word 'skip'.