Breakdown of Idag tror jag att ryktet stämmer.
jag
I
idag
today
tro
to believe
att
that
ryktet
the rumor
stämma
to be correct
Questions & Answers about Idag tror jag att ryktet stämmer.
Why is it tror jag instead of jag tror?
Because the sentence starts with the time word idag (today), Swedish uses the V2 rule. This means the verb (tror) must be in the second position of the main sentence, so the subject (jag) has to move right after it.
How does the word att work in this sentence?
Att means "that" and introduces a subordinate clause (a sentence within a sentence). Here, the clause att ryktet stämmer acts as the object of the sentence, telling us exactly what it is you believe.
Can I drop the word att just like we sometimes drop "that" in English?
Yes! In spoken or casual Swedish, you can often leave it out and say Idag tror jag ryktet stämmer. However, it is usually kept in formal writing, so practicing with att is a great habit at this level.
Why use the verb stämmer instead of saying är rätt (is correct)?
The verb att stämma is very commonly used in Swedish to say that information, a story, or a rumor "is true" or "matches up". While är rätt is also understood, stämmer sounds much more natural when talking about whether facts or rumors are accurate.
Why does ryktet end with a -t?
This is the definite form ("the rumor") of the neuter noun ett rykte (a rumor). Because the base word already ends in a vowel, you just add a -t to the end to make it definite.
Learn Idag tror jag att ryktet stämmer and more in Swedish
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free