Question 1

Why does justeras end in an -s here?

Accepted Answer

This is the s-passive form! After a modal verb like måste (must), you use the infinitive form of the main verb. To make it passive (meaning the brake receives the action rather than doing it), you simply add an -s to the end of the infinitive justera (to adjust), giving you justeras (to be adjusted).

Question 2

Where is the Swedish word for "be" in "must be adjusted"?

Accepted Answer

You don't need one! The -s ending on justeras does the job of "be" all by itself. While you could technically form a passive using the verb bli (to become/be) and say måste bli justerad, using the s-passive is much more common, natural, and concise in Swedish.

Question 3

Why is it bromsen (singular) when in English we usually say "the brakes" (plural)?

Accepted Answer

Bromsen is the definite singular form of en broms (a brake). In Swedish, it is very common to refer to a vehicle's braking system in the singular (bromsen), whereas English speakers tend to default to the plural ("the brakes").

Question 4

Can I put snart earlier in the sentence, like Bromsen måste snart justeras?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can! Snart (soon) can act as a sentence adverb. In a main clause, sentence adverbs normally go immediately after the first verb (måste). Placing it at the very end, as in the original sentence, is also perfectly correct and just puts a little more emphasis on the fact that it needs to happen soon.

Bromsen måste justeras snart.

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