Breakdown of Det diskuteras ett problem i artikeln, och vi talar sällan därom.
ett
a, an (neuter)
vi
we
och
and
i
in
Questions & Answers about Det diskuteras ett problem i artikeln, och vi talar sällan därom.
What exactly does därom replace in this sentence?
It replaces the phrase om det (about it). In academic or formal Swedish, you often combine där- with a preposition to form a single word that points back to something previously mentioned. Here, där- plus om becomes därom, meaning 'about that' (the problem being discussed).
Why does the sentence start with Det diskuteras ett problem instead of just Ett problem diskuteras?
This is a presentational construction. By using the 'dummy' subject Det (literally 'It is discussed a problem'), the writer delays the real subject (ett problem) to introduce it as new, important information. This structure, paired with the s-passive (diskuteras), is extremely common in Swedish academic texts.
Could I use the verb pratar instead of talar here?
Grammatically yes, but talar is a much better fit for the formal tone of the sentence. Words like diskuteras (passive voice) and därom (formal adverb) belong to a higher, more academic register, making the everyday verb pratar feel a bit out of place.
What is the rule for the placement of sällan in the second half of the sentence?