Question 1

Why do we use efter att ha använt here?

Accepted Answer

In Swedish, to express doing something 'after doing' something else, we use efter att ha (literally: after to have) followed by the supine form of the verb (använt). This perfect infinitive structure is very common when the subject ('han') is the exact same in both halves of the sentence.

Question 2

Could I say efter att han hade använt instead?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you could use a full clause: efter att han hade använt (after he had used). However, using the perfect infinitive efter att ha is usually preferred because it makes the sentence shorter and avoids repeating the subject.

Question 3

Why is the word sig necessary after tvättade?

Accepted Answer

In English, you can just say 'he washed' and it is understood he washed his body. In Swedish, the verb tvätta needs a direct object. To say you wash your own body, you must use the reflexive pronoun sig. Without it, a Swede would wait to hear what he was washing, like a car or his clothes.

Question 4

What makes up the word rakhyveln?

Accepted Answer

It is a compound word built from rak- (from the verb raka, meaning to shave) and the noun hyvel (a plane or shaver tool). The -n at the end puts it in the definite form, meaning 'the razor' instead of just 'a razor'.

Question 5

Can I drop the att and just say efter ha använt?

Accepted Answer

In casual spoken Swedish, the att is very often dropped or slurred, so you will frequently hear people say efter ha använt. However, in written Swedish, you should always include the att.

Han tvättade sig med tvålen efter att ha använt rakhyveln.

Breakdown of Han tvättade sig med tvålen efter att ha använt rakhyveln.

Questions & Answers about Han tvättade sig med tvålen efter att ha använt rakhyveln.

Learn Han tvättade sig med tvålen efter att ha använt rakhyveln and more in Swedish