B1 Norwegian GrammarInfinitive vs Gerund
Understand when to use the Norwegian infinitive with 'å' versus verbal nouns and other constructions. Unlike English, Norwegian doesn't have true gerunds (-ing forms), so mastering infinitive patterns after different verbs is essential for natural-sounding Norwegian.
1The Norwegian Infinitive with 'å'
Norwegian infinitives are formed with 'å' + verb stem. This corresponds to English 'to do'. The infinitive marker 'å' is used after many verbs, adjectives, and in certain constructions. Unlike English gerunds (-ing), Norwegian typically uses the infinitive where English might use either form.
Infinitive Formation
| Infinitive | English | In Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| å lese | to read | Jeg liker å lese. |
| å skrive | to write | Hun prøver å skrive. |
| å spise | to eat | Vi skal å spise. |
| å sove | to sleep | De trenger å sove. |
Examples
Jeg liker å svømme.
I like swimming / I like to swim.
Norwegian uses infinitive where English uses gerund
Hun elsker å reise.
She loves traveling / She loves to travel.
å reise = to travel (infinitive)
De begynte å danse.
They started dancing / They started to dance.
å danse after begynte (began)
Han hater å vente.
He hates waiting / He hates to wait.
å vente = to wait (infinitive)
2Verbs Requiring Infinitive with 'å'
Many Norwegian verbs require 'å' before the following infinitive. These include: prøve (try), begynne (begin), slutte (stop), glemme (forget), huske (remember), love (promise), bestemme seg for (decide), and ønske (wish). The pattern is always: main verb + å + infinitive.
Common Verbs + å + Infinitive
| Verb | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| prøve | to try | prøve å forstå |
| begynne | to begin | begynne å jobbe |
| slutte | to stop | slutte å røyke |
| glemme | to forget | glemme å ringe |
| huske | to remember | huske å kjøpe |
| love | to promise | love å komme |
Examples
Jeg prøver å lære norsk.
I'm trying to learn Norwegian.
prøver + å + infinitive
Hun sluttet å jobbe der.
She stopped working there.
sluttet + å = stopped (doing)
Vi glemte å låse døren.
We forgot to lock the door.
glemte + å = forgot to
Han lovet å hjelpe oss.
He promised to help us.
lovet + å = promised to
3Modal Verbs Without 'å'
Modal verbs in Norwegian do NOT use 'å' before the infinitive. These include: kan (can), vil (will/want), skal (shall), må (must), bør (should). This is similar to English where modals don't use 'to'. The pattern is: modal + bare infinitive (without å).
Modal Verbs Without å
| Modal | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| kan | can | kan svømme (NOT: kan å svømme) |
| vil | will/want | vil dra (NOT: vil å dra) |
| skal | shall | skal komme (NOT: skal å komme) |
| må | must | må gå (NOT: må å gå) |
| bør | should | bør spise (NOT: bør å spise) |
Examples
Jeg kan snakke norsk.
I can speak Norwegian.
kan + bare infinitive (no å)
Hun vil reise til Bergen.
She wants to travel to Bergen.
vil + bare infinitive
De må arbeide i morgen.
They must work tomorrow.
må + bare infinitive
Vi bør snakke med ham.
We should talk to him.
bør + bare infinitive
4Verbal Nouns and -ing Equivalents
When English uses a gerund as a noun (e.g., 'Swimming is fun'), Norwegian typically uses either the infinitive or a verbal noun. Verbal nouns are formed by adding '-ing' or '-ning' to the verb stem, but they function purely as nouns, not as verb forms like English gerunds.
Verbal Nouns in Norwegian
| Verb | Verbal Noun | English |
|---|---|---|
| å lese | lesing/lesning | reading (noun) |
| å trene | trening | training (noun) |
| å bygge | bygging/bygning | building (noun) |
| å føle | følelse | feeling (noun) |
Examples
Å svømme er god trening.
Swimming is good exercise.
Infinitive as subject (å svømme)
Lesing er min favorittaktivitet.
Reading is my favorite activity.
Verbal noun as subject
Jeg liker trening om morgenen.
I like training/working out in the morning.
Verbal noun as object
Det er vanskelig å forstå.
It is difficult to understand.
Infinitive after adjective + å