Questions & Answers about Det där äpplet är för surt.
Is this sentence using the special OVS (Object-Verb-Subject) word order we are learning in this lesson?
Not quite. Because det där äpplet is the subject of the sentence, this uses standard Subject-Verb order. OVS only happens when you pull the object to the front. However, using det där (that one there) instead of just det adds the strong contrast and emphasis that this lesson focuses on!
Why does äpplet have the definite ending when det där already points out a specific apple?
This is a classic Swedish rule called double definiteness. When you use demonstratives like det där (that) or det här (this), the noun that follows must also be in its definite form. So, you are literally saying 'that there the-apple'.
Why is the adjective surt spelled with a -t at the end?
Adjectives must agree with the noun they describe, even when they come after the verb. Because äpple is an ett word (neuter), the adjective takes the neuter -t ending to become surt.
I usually see för used to mean 'for'. How does it mean 'too' here?
When för is placed directly before an adjective or an adverb, it changes its function. Instead of being the preposition 'for', it acts as an adverb of degree meaning 'too' or 'excessively'. Therefore, för surt translates to 'too sour'.
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