Breakdown of Sjuksköterskan byter förbandet ofta för att såret ska läka.
ofta
often
ska
will
för
for, to
sjuksköterskan
the nurse
byta
to change
att
that
läka
to heal
såret
the wound
förbandet
the bandage
Questions & Answers about Sjuksköterskan byter förbandet ofta för att såret ska läka.
Why do we use a full clause with ska after för att here, rather than just an infinitive?
Because the subject changes! The main clause's subject is sjuksköterskan (the nurse), but the purpose clause's subject is såret (the wound). When the subjects are different, för att means 'so that' and requires a full subordinate clause, typically using ska (or skulle in the past tense). If the nurse were doing something for their own sake, you could just use an infinitive: Sjuksköterskan vilar för att orka (The nurse rests in order to have energy).
Does ska läka imply a guaranteed future, or just an intention?
In this type of för att clause, ska expresses the intended purpose rather than a guaranteed future event. It translates closely to 'so that the wound will heal' or 'in order for the wound to heal'. It shows what the nurse is trying to achieve by changing the bandage.
Can the verb läka be used if the nurse is actively curing a patient?
No, läka is generally used for the natural process of a wound, bone, or injury getting better on its own, which is why såret is the subject here. If you want to say that a medical professional 'heals' or 'cures' a patient or an illness, you would use the verb bota.
If I moved ofta to the beginning to emphasize it, how would the sentence change?
You would need to apply the V2 rule (verb in second position) to the main clause, swapping the subject and verb: Ofta byter sjuksköterskan förbandet... The subordinate purpose clause (för att såret ska läka) would remain exactly the same.
Learn Sjuksköterskan byter förbandet ofta för att såret ska läka and more in Swedish
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free