Breakdown of Jag låter det självständiga barnet ta ansvaret.
jag
I
barnet
the child
ta
to take
det
the (with ett-words)
låta
to let, allow
självständig
independent (self-reliant)
ansvaret
the responsibility
Questions & Answers about Jag låter det självständiga barnet ta ansvaret.
Why is the verb ta used here without att before it?
Because låta (here låter) is a causative verb meaning 'to let' or 'allow'. Just like in English, when you let someone do something, the second verb takes the bare infinitive form. So you use låter ... ta (let ... take), not låter ... att ta.
Why does the adjective självständiga end with an -a?
Because the noun phrase is definite. When you use the standalone definite article det (the), the following adjective must take the definite ending, which is -a. The noun itself also gets its definite suffix (barnet), creating the classic Swedish 'double definite' pattern.
How is the word självständiga constructed?
The root word självständig is built from själv (self) and ständig (constant or standing). Combined, they create the Swedish word for 'independent'.
Could we move the object and say Jag låter ta ansvaret det självständiga barnet?
No, the word order is strict here. With causative verbs, the object experiencing the action (det självständiga barnet) must be placed directly between the causative verb (låter) and the bare infinitive action it performs (ta).
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