Questions & Answers about Jag skojar bara med dig.
How would this sentence look if it were a fronted quote followed by "he said", applying this lesson's rules?
You would write: "Jag skojar bara med dig", sa han. Because the entire quote acts as the first structural element in the sentence, the V2 rule forces the reporting verb (sa) to come immediately after the quote, before the subject (han).
What is the difference between skojar med, skämtar med, and driver med?
They all mean to joke or kid around, but with different nuances. Skoja is very lighthearted and friendly (like "kidding"). Skämta is similar but can also mean telling a structured joke. Driva med means to pull someone's leg or tease them, which can sometimes border on mocking.
Where does bara go if this becomes a subordinate clause, like "She knows that I am only joking"?
It moves before the verb. In a main clause, the sentence adverb (bara) comes after the verb. But in a subordinate clause, the BIFF rule applies (meaning the sentence adverb comes before the finite verb), making it: Hon vet att jag bara skojar med dig.
Can I drop med dig and just say Jag skojar bara?
Yes, absolutely. Just like in English ("I'm just joking"), dropping med dig is perfectly natural and very common when quickly reassuring someone that you aren't being serious.
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