Question 1

Why is the word order hörde jag instead of jag hörde?

Accepted Answer

Because the sentence starts with the time word idag (today). Swedish uses the V2 rule, meaning the verb (here, hörde) must be the second piece of information in the main clause. If you started with the subject, it would be Jag hörde idag att...

Question 2

Why does the word order switch back to subject-first (paret ska) after the word att?

Accepted Answer

The word att (that) introduces a subordinate clause, which is how we form indirect speech. Subordinate clauses do not use the V2 rule; they follow a strict subject-first order. Therefore, it has to be paret ska (subject then verb), not ska paret.

Question 3

Why is the word sig used at the end of the sentence?

Accepted Answer

The verb for 'to get divorced' in Swedish is reflexive: att skilja sig (literally 'to separate oneself'). Because the subject doing the divorcing is paret (the couple, which is third-person), the reflexive pronoun must be sig.

Question 4

How would the reflexive pronoun shift if I were talking about my own divorce?

Accepted Answer

In indirect speech, the pronouns must shift to match the subject of that specific clause. If you were the one getting divorced, the subject becomes jag (I), so the reflexive pronoun shifts to mig: ...att jag ska skilja mig.

Question 5

Can I drop the word att (that) like we often do in English?

Accepted Answer

In casual spoken Swedish, people sometimes drop att after verbs like hörde (heard) or sa (said). However, it is much more common to keep it than in English. As a learner, it is best to always include att to clearly separate your main sentence from the indirect speech.

Idag hörde jag att paret ska skilja sig.

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