Breakdown of Ritningen låter sig inte modifieras.
inte
not
sig
oneself / himself / herself / themselves
låta
to let, allow
ritningen
the blueprint
modifiera
to modify
Questions & Answers about Ritningen låter sig inte modifieras.
Why use låter sig inte here instead of just kan inte (cannot)?
The phrase låta sig plus an infinitive is a slightly formal or idiomatic way to express that something can or cannot be done to the subject. While kan inte modifieras means the same thing, låter sig inte modifieras gives the flavor that the blueprint's very nature does not allow itself to be changed.
Why does the sentence use the s-passive form modifieras instead of the active modifiera?
Because the subject (ritningen) is receiving the action. In the låta sig construction, you use the s-passive infinitive when the subject is the thing being acted upon. Literally, this translates to 'The blueprint does not let itself be modified.'
Why does the negation inte come after the reflexive pronoun sig?
In Swedish main clauses, inte normally follows the conjugated verb. However, unstressed object pronouns, including reflexive ones like sig, are typically placed before the sentence adverb. Therefore, sig squeezes in between låter and inte.
I recognize the root of ritningen. Does it come from the verb rita?
Yes, it comes from att rita, meaning to draw. Adding the -ning suffix creates a noun. While it can mean a general drawing, en ritning is most often used in technical contexts to mean a blueprint, plan, or schematic.
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