B1 Danish GrammarDouble Infinitive Construction
Master the Danish double infinitive construction used in perfect tenses with modal verbs. Learn when to use the infinitive form instead of the past participle, and understand the word order in these complex verb chains.
1When Double Infinitive Occurs
In Danish, when a modal verb (kunne, ville, skulle, måtte, burde) is used in the perfect tense with another verb, the modal keeps its infinitive form instead of becoming a past participle. This creates a 'double infinitive' at the end of the sentence: 'har kunnet gøre' instead of *'har kunnet gjort'.
Perfect with Modals
| Modal | Perfect Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| kunne (can) | har kunnet | Jeg har kunnet gøre det |
| ville (will) | har villet | Han har villet rejse |
| skulle (shall) | har skullet | Vi har skullet arbejde |
| måtte (may/must) | har måttet | De har måttet vente |
Examples
Jeg har ikke kunnet komme.
I have not been able to come.
kunnet stays infinitive
Han har villet hjælpe os.
He has wanted to help us.
villet + hjælpe (double infinitive)
Vi har skullet arbejde hele dagen.
We have had to work all day.
skullet in perfect
De har måttet vente i timevis.
They have had to wait for hours.
måttet keeps infinitive form
2Word Order with Double Infinitive
In main clauses, 'har/havde' comes in second position, and the double infinitive goes at the end. In subordinate clauses, the word order changes: the subject comes first, then 'har/havde', then negation/adverbs, then the double infinitive at the end.
Word Order Patterns
| Clause Type | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Main clause | Subj + har + ... + modal + inf | Jeg har kunnet svømme |
| With negation | Subj + har + ikke + modal + inf | Jeg har ikke kunnet svømme |
| Subordinate | at + subj + har + modal + inf | at jeg har kunnet svømme |
| Question | Har + subj + modal + inf? | Har du kunnet gøre det? |
Examples
Jeg har altid villet lære dansk.
I have always wanted to learn Danish.
adverb before double infinitive
Hun siger, at hun har skullet gå.
She says that she has had to leave.
subordinate clause order
Har du kunnet finde vejen?
Have you been able to find the way?
question form
Jeg ved, at han ikke har villet komme.
I know that he has not wanted to come.
negation in subordinate clause
3Past Perfect with Modals
The past perfect (pluperfect) uses 'havde' instead of 'har'. The same double infinitive rule applies: 'havde kunnet gøre'. Use this to describe an ability or necessity that existed before another past event.
Past Perfect Modal Forms
| Modal | Past Perfect | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| kunne | havde kunnet | had been able to |
| ville | havde villet | had wanted to |
| skulle | havde skullet | had had to |
| burde | havde burdet | should have |
Examples
Jeg havde kunnet hjælpe, hvis du havde spurgt.
I could have helped if you had asked.
conditional meaning
Hun havde villet blive, men hun måtte gå.
She had wanted to stay, but she had to leave.
past wish
Vi havde skullet være der klokken ti.
We had been supposed to be there at ten.
past obligation
De havde aldrig kunnet forestille sig det.
They had never been able to imagine it.
never + past perfect
4Common Expressions and Usage
Double infinitive constructions are common in everyday Danish. They often express past abilities, unfulfilled wishes, or necessary actions. Watch for these patterns in written and spoken Danish, especially in storytelling and explaining past situations.
Common Double Infinitive Phrases
| Danish | English | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| har kunnet se | have been able to see | past ability |
| har villet have | have wanted to have | past desire |
| har skullet gøre | have had to do | past necessity |
| har burdet sige | should have said | past advice |
Examples
Jeg har aldrig kunnet lide kaffe.
I have never been able to like coffee.
expressing lifelong inability
Han har hele tiden villet fortælle dig det.
He has wanted to tell you all along.
ongoing past desire
Vi har desværre ikke kunnet finde løsningen.
Unfortunately, we have not been able to find the solution.
negative with adverb
Du har burdet ringe til hende.
You should have called her.
giving past advice