Breakdown of Säkerhetslinan var för gammal för att använda.
vara
to be
att
to
gammal
old
för
for, to
använda
to use
säkerhetslinan
the safety line
Questions & Answers about Säkerhetslinan var för gammal för att använda.
How does the 'too... to...' structure work in this sentence?
It uses the pattern för + adjective (gammal) + för att + infinitive (använda). Notice that while in English we say 'too old to use', Swedish requires för att before the verb in this specific construction.
Why is it just använda? Doesn't it need an 'it' at the end, like använda den?
You do not need to add an object like den (it) here. In Swedish, when the logical object of the action is already the subject of the sentence (säkerhetslinan), you just leave the verb in its active infinitive form (använda).
How is the compound word säkerhetslinan built?
It is made of säkerhet (safety) and linan (the line or the rope). They are joined by a connecting -s-, which is a very common way to link two nouns together in Swedish compound words.
Why is the adjective gammal and not gammalt or gamla?
Gammal describes säkerhetslinan. Since en lina is an en-word, the adjective takes the basic en-form (gammal). If the subject were an ett-word like ett rep (a rope), it would be för gammalt.
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