Breakdown of Jag måste springa, oavsett hur trött jag är.
jag
I
vara
to be
trött
tired
hur
how
måste
to have to, must
springa
to run
oavsett
regardless of
Questions & Answers about Jag måste springa, oavsett hur trött jag är.
How does oavsett function together with hur in this sentence?
Here, oavsett (regardless of) pairs with the interrogative word hur (how) to mean "no matter how". This combination introduces an indirect question that acts as a subordinate clause expressing concession, meaning the action in the main clause happens regardless of the condition.
Why is the word order jag är instead of the usual question order är jag?
Because hur trött jag är is an indirect question acting as a subordinate clause. In Swedish subordinate clauses, the subject (jag) always comes before the verb (är). If it were a direct question standing alone, the verb would come before the subject: Hur trött är jag?
Does the adjective trött still need to agree with the subject in this type of structure?
Yes, adjective agreement applies exactly as it does in a standard sentence. If the subject were plural, the adjective would take the plural -a ending: Jag måste springa, oavsett hur trötta vi är (no matter how tired we are).
Could I use trots att instead of oavsett here?
Not directly with the question word hur. Trots att means "despite the fact that" or "even though" and is used for stated facts, such as trots att jag är trött (even though I am tired). You use oavsett when there is a variable degree or an unknown, which is why it pairs perfectly with interrogative words like hur, vem, or vad.
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