Breakdown of Datorn är värdelös om skärmen inte är pålitlig.
vara
to be
inte
not
datorn
the computer
om
if, whether
skärmen
the screen
värdelös
worthless
pålitlig
reliable
Questions & Answers about Datorn är värdelös om skärmen inte är pålitlig.
How is the adjective värdelös formed?
It is formed by combining the noun ett värde (a value) with the suffix -lös. Just like the English suffix "-less", -lös means "without" or "lacking". Therefore, värdelös literally translates to "valueless" or "worthless".
Where does the adjective pålitlig come from?
It is derived from the phrasal verb att lita på (to trust or rely on). The preposition på is moved to the front, and the adjective suffix -lig (a variation of the -ig suffix taught in this lesson) is added to the root lit. This turns the verb phrase into the adjective pålitlig (reliable).
Why is the word order om skärmen inte är instead of om skärmen är inte?
The word om (if) introduces a subordinate clause, which is a dependent part of a sentence. In Swedish subordinate clauses, the negation inte must always come before the conjugated verb (är). This is often taught as the "BIFF rule" (Bisats: Inte Före Finita verbet).
Why does datorn only add an -n for its definite form, while skärmen adds -en?
Both are en words in their definite form meaning "the computer" and "the screen". Since en skärm ends in a consonant, it takes the standard -en ending. However, en dator ends in an unstressed -or, and nouns with this specific ending only take an -n to become datorn.
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