Question 1

If I wanted to add dessutom (furthermore) to the beginning of this sentence, how would it affect the word order?

Accepted Answer

Because dessutom is an adverb, placing it at the start of the sentence triggers the V2 rule (the verb must be the second piece of information). You have to swap the subject (jag) and the first verb (måste), which gives you: Dessutom måste jag pendla till jobbet.

Question 2

Why is there no att before pendla, even though the English translation is 'to commute'?

Accepted Answer

Måste (must / have to) is a modal verb. In Swedish, modal verbs are followed directly by the infinitive form of the next verb without the infinitive marker att. Therefore, it is måste pendla, never måste att pendla.

Question 3

Why does the sentence use the definite form jobbet (the work) when English just says 'to work'?

Accepted Answer

Swedish often uses the definite form for everyday locations or routines where English leaves the article out. When you talk about going to your workplace, you say till jobbet (literally 'to the job'). You will see this pattern in other phrases too, like being i skolan (in school) or på sjukhuset (in hospital).

Question 4

Can I use pendla for commuting by car, or is it only for trains?

Accepted Answer

Yes, att pendla means to commute by any means of transport, including driving. However, because public transport is so common in Sweden, a very common related word you will encounter is pendeltåg, which specifically means 'commuter train'.

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