Breakdown of Jag är tveksam eftersom motorn inte är kraftig.
jag
I
vara
to be
inte
not
motorn
the engine
eftersom
since, because
kraftig
powerful
tveksam
doubtful
Questions & Answers about Jag är tveksam eftersom motorn inte är kraftig.
How is the adjective tveksam formed using the -sam suffix?
It is built from the verb att tveka (to hesitate). Adding the suffix -sam turns a verb or a noun into an adjective that describes a tendency or character trait. So, someone who tends to hesitate is tveksam (doubtful or hesitant).
What is the base word for the adjective kraftig?
It comes from the noun en kraft (a power or force). The suffix -ig is one of the most common ways to turn a noun into an adjective in Swedish, very much like adding "-y" or "-ful" in English. Something full of kraft becomes kraftig (powerful).
Why does inte come before the verb är in the second half of the sentence?
Because eftersom (because) introduces a subordinate clause (a dependent clause). In Swedish, subordinate clauses follow the "BIFF" rule, meaning sentence adverbs like inte must be placed before the first verb. If it were a standalone main clause, the verb would come before the adverb: Motorn är inte kraftig.
Could I use the word stark instead of kraftig here?
You could say motorn är inte stark, but kraftig is a very natural choice for machinery. While stark is the general word for "strong", kraftig often implies something robust, heavy, or generating a lot of physical force (like a heavy-duty engine, a strong wind, or a sturdy build).
Learn Jag är tveksam eftersom motorn inte är kraftig 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