Breakdown of Vad som än må hända efter ceremonin, ska jag aldrig förråda brödraskapet.
jag
I
vad
what
ska
will
aldrig
never
Questions & Answers about Vad som än må hända efter ceremonin, ska jag aldrig förråda brödraskapet.
How does the word må change the meaning in Vad som än må hända?
Here, må is a concessive auxiliary verb meaning "may". It emphasizes that the outcome in the main clause is guaranteed regardless of the circumstances. Combined with vad som än (whatever), it gives the phrase a slightly more formal, dramatic, or definitive tone than simply saying Vad som än händer (Whatever happens).
Why is som required here? Can I just say Vad än må hända?
You need som because "whatever" is the subject of the action hända (to happen). In Swedish, when question words like vem or vad act as the subject of a relative clause, som must follow them. If "whatever" were the object of the clause, you would drop som, for example: vad de än må säga (whatever they may say).
Why does the main clause start with ska jag instead of jag ska?
This is the classic Swedish V2 (verb-second) rule in action. The entire subordinate clause Vad som än må hända efter ceremonin occupies the first position in the sentence. To keep the main verb in the second position, ska must immediately follow the comma, swapping places with the subject jag.
How is the word brödraskapet constructed?