Breakdown of Jag vet inte varför datorn inte startar.
jag
I
inte
not
veta
to know (facts, information)
varför
why
datorn
the computer
starta
to start (a machine, engine, business)
Questions & Answers about Jag vet inte varför datorn inte startar.
Why is inte placed after the verb in the first half of the sentence, but before the verb in the second half?
This is a perfect example of the BIFF rule! The first half, Jag vet inte, is a main clause, so inte goes after the verb. The second half, varför datorn inte startar, is a subordinate clause. The BIFF rule reminds us: in a Bi-sats (subordinate clause), Inte comes Före (before) the Finita verbet (verb).
Does the word varför always make the sentence a subordinate clause?
When it connects two parts of a sentence like this, yes. Here, varför creates an indirect question. When question words like varför (why), när (when), or vad (what) are used in the middle of a sentence, they act as conjunctions and trigger the BIFF rule word order for the phrase that follows.
I learned that en-words get an -en at the end for the definite form. Why is it datorn instead of datoren?
While most en-words take -en, nouns that end in -or are a common exception. Words like en dator (a computer) or en doktor (a doctor) simply take an -n in the definite singular form, becoming datorn and doktorn.
Could I use känner instead of vet here since they both mean "know"?
No, you must use vet in this context. The verb att veta is used for knowing facts or information. Att känna is used for knowing people or being familiar with places. Since the reason the computer will not start is a piece of information, vet is the only correct choice.
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