Breakdown of Varför påstår du att chefen är arg?
vara
to be
du
you (singular)
varför
why
arg
angry
chefen
the boss
att
that
påstå
to claim
Questions & Answers about Varför påstår du att chefen är arg?
Why does the second part of the sentence say att chefen är arg instead of reversing the verb and subject?
The phrase att chefen är arg is a subordinate clause (a bisats in Swedish). Subordinate clauses usually follow straight word order, meaning the subject (chefen) comes before the verb (är), even though the main part of the sentence is a question.
Why is the verb påstår before the subject du in the first part?
The first part is the main clause, and it is a question starting with the question word Varför (Why). In Swedish questions, the verb must jump into the second position, putting it before the subject.
What is the infinitive form of påstår, and why does it end in just -r?
The infinitive is att påstå (to claim). Because the root verb stå (to stand) ends in a long vowel rather than a consonant, it just takes an -r in the present tense instead of the usual -ar or -er.
Can I drop the word att like we sometimes drop 'that' in English?
Yes! Just like in English, you can often drop att in everyday spoken Swedish, so Varför påstår du chefen är arg? is perfectly fine. However, keeping att makes the sentence structure clearer, which is helpful while you are getting used to subordinate clauses.
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