Breakdown of Jag kan spåra försändelsen åt dig.
jag
I
kunna
to be able to, can
dig
you (singular)
åt
for (on behalf of), to
försändelsen
the shipment
spåra
to track
Questions & Answers about Jag kan spåra försändelsen åt dig.
Why do we use åt dig here instead of till dig?
We use åt because the speaker is doing a favor or performing a service on someone's behalf (tracking the package for them). You generally use till when physically giving, sending, or transferring an object directly to someone.
Can I drop the preposition and use the double-object word order here, saying Jag kan spåra dig försändelsen?
No, that sounds unnatural in Swedish. The double-object order (putting the indirect person object right before the direct object) is typically reserved for verbs of giving, showing, or telling, such as ge, visa, or berätta. When doing a favor for someone, you keep the preposition åt.
What is the base form of försändelsen?
Why isn't there an att before the verb spåra?
Because kan is a modal verb. Just like in English, Swedish modal verbs are followed directly by the infinitive form of the next verb without an att (to). You say kan spåra just like you say 'can track' rather than 'can to track'.
Learn Jag kan spåra försändelsen åt dig 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