Breakdown of Maskinen är programmerad att upprepa uppgiften.
vara
to be
att
to
maskinen
the machine
uppgiften
the task
programmerad
programmed
upprepa
to repeat (say or do again)
Questions & Answers about Maskinen är programmerad att upprepa uppgiften.
Why do we use är programmerad instead of an s-passive like programmeras here?
Är programmerad describes a state or condition—the machine is already programmed and currently exists in that state. If you used the s-passive (maskinen programmeras) or the bli-passive (maskinen blir programmerad), it would mean the action is happening right now, as in someone is actively programming it.
Why does programmerad end in -d rather than -t?
Here, the past participle acts as an adjective describing maskinen, which is an en-word. If the subject were an ett-word, like systemet (the system), the participle would need to agree with it and take the neuter -t ending: systemet är programmerat.
Can I split the verb upprepa and say repa upp instead?
No, upprepa (to repeat) is an inseparable verb. If you split it into the phrasal verb repa upp, it means something completely different: to unravel (like a knitted sweater) or to scratch up.
Uppgift is translated as task here, but doesn't it also mean something else?
Yes! While it often means a task or an assignment (like en hemuppgift for homework), it is also the standard word for a piece of information or data. You will frequently see the plural uppgifter used on forms asking for your personal details.
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