Breakdown of Kan spegeln också justeras?
också
also
kunna
to be able to, can
spegeln
the mirror
justera
to adjust
Questions & Answers about Kan spegeln också justeras?
How do we know to use justeras with an -s instead of just justera?
The -s ending makes the verb passive. Because it comes after the modal verb kan (can), we use the infinitive form justeras to mean 'be adjusted'. If you used the active form justera, it would mean the mirror itself is reaching out and adjusting something!
What would the active version of this sentence look like?
To make it active, you would need to introduce a person doing the action, like Kan du också justera spegeln? (Can you also adjust the mirror?). Notice how the verb changes back to the active infinitive justera when there is a clear subject doing the action.
Why is också placed in the middle of the sentence right before justeras?
In Swedish main clauses, short modifying words like också (also), inte (not), or alltid (always) usually go between the subject (spegeln) and the second verb (justeras).
Can I put också at the very end of the sentence instead?
Yes, you can absolutely say Kan spegeln justeras också?. Putting också at the end is very common in spoken Swedish and works just like putting 'too' at the end of the English sentence: 'Can the mirror be adjusted too?'.