Question 1

How does the verb går mean "possible" in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

The phrase det går (inte) att is a very common Swedish idiom meaning "it is (not) possible to" or "it can(not) be done". It uses the verb gå (literally "to go") followed by att and an infinitive verb (here, lösa). You will hear this constantly in Swedish to express whether a specific action is practically feasible.

Question 2

Why is the word order går det inte instead of det går inte?

Accepted Answer

Because of the V2 (verb-second) rule. The sentence starts with the adverb Tyvärr (unfortunately), which takes up the first position. The verb går must come immediately after it in the second position. This pushes the dummy subject det to the third spot, followed by the negation inte.

Question 3

The English translation says "without a permit", so why is there no ett before tillstånd?

Accepted Answer

In Swedish, the indefinite article is usually dropped after prepositions like utan when referring to a general category, status, or abstract concept rather than a specific physical object. Saying utan ett tillstånd sounds overly specific, like you are missing one particular physical piece of paper, whereas utan tillstånd naturally translates to "without permission" or "unauthorized".

Question 4

How is the word bevattningen built?

Accepted Answer

It is built on the everyday root verb att vattna (to water). Adding the prefix be- turns it into the more formal or technical verb att bevattna (to irrigate). Adding the suffix -ning turns it into a noun, en bevattning (an irrigation), and the final -en makes it definite: bevattningen (the irrigation).

Tyvärr går det inte att lösa bevattningen utan tillstånd.

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