Breakdown of Vi finner det omöjligt att betygsätta uppsatsen.
det
it (neuter)
vi
we
att
to
omöjlig
impossible
uppsatsen
the essay
finna
to find (abstract, formal)
betygsätta
to grade
Questions & Answers about Vi finner det omöjligt att betygsätta uppsatsen.
Why is det used here instead of just saying Vi finner omöjligt att...?
This is the anticipatory formal object in action. When verbs like finner (find or consider) evaluate an action, Swedish requires a placeholder object before the adjective. Here, det acts as this placeholder for the real object, which is the whole infinitive clause at the end (att betygsätta uppsatsen).
Why does omöjligt end with a -t?
Adjectives always have to agree with the noun or pronoun they describe. In this sentence, omöjligt is describing the formal object det. Since det functions as a neuter word, the adjective gets the neuter -t ending.
Could I use hittar here instead of finner?
No. While both mean find in English, hittar is used for physically locating something, like finding lost keys. finner is used here in the abstract sense of considering or experiencing something, exactly like the English phrase 'we find it impossible'.
What are the parts that make up the verb betygsätta?
It is a compound verb made from the noun betyg (a grade or mark) and the verb sätta (to put or set). Literally, it means to set a grade on the essay.
Learn Vi finner det omöjligt att betygsätta uppsatsen 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