B1 Swedish GrammarComplex Sentence Structure
Combine multiple clauses fluently using advanced Swedish connectors. Master concessive (trots att, fastän), conditional (ifall, såvida), temporal (så snart, sedan), and other sophisticated conjunctions to express nuanced relationships between ideas.
1Concessive Conjunctions (Although, Despite)
Concessive conjunctions express contrast or unexpected outcomes. 'Trots att' and 'fastän' both mean 'although/even though' and introduce subordinate clauses (with BIFF word order: adverb before verb). 'Trots' alone takes a noun. 'Ändå' (still/anyway) often appears in the main clause.
Concessive Connectors
| Swedish | English | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| trots att | despite that, although | + subordinate clause |
| fastän | although, even though | + subordinate clause |
| även om | even if | + subordinate clause |
| trots | despite | + noun |
Examples
Trots att han inte studerade, klarade han provet.
Although he didn't study, he passed the test.
trots att + BIFF order (inte before verb)
Fastän det regnade, gick vi ut.
Even though it was raining, we went out.
fastän = although (subordinate clause)
Även om jag är trött, ska jag hjälpa dig.
Even if I'm tired, I will help you.
även om for hypothetical concession
Hon kom till jobbet trots sin sjukdom.
She came to work despite her illness.
trots + noun (no clause)
2Conditional Conjunctions (If, Unless, Provided)
Beyond basic 'om' (if), Swedish has several conditional connectors. 'Ifall' is a slightly more formal 'if'. 'Såvida inte' means 'unless'. 'Förutsatt att' means 'provided that'. These all introduce subordinate clauses with BIFF word order.
Conditional Connectors
| Swedish | English | Register |
|---|---|---|
| om | if | neutral |
| ifall | if, in case | slightly formal |
| såvida inte | unless | formal |
| förutsatt att | provided that | formal |
Examples
Ifall du inte hittar boken, ring mig.
In case you don't find the book, call me.
ifall = om (more formal)
Jag kommer, såvida jag inte blir sjuk.
I'll come, unless I get sick.
såvida inte = unless
Du kan låna bilen förutsatt att du kör försiktigt.
You can borrow the car provided you drive carefully.
förutsatt att = provided that
Ta med paraply ifall det börjar regna.
Bring an umbrella in case it starts raining.
ifall for precautions
3Temporal Conjunctions (As soon as, Until, Since)
Advanced temporal connectors add precision to when-relationships. 'Så snart' means 'as soon as'. 'Tills' or 'till dess att' mean 'until'. 'Sedan' or 'efter att' mean 'after'. 'Innan' means 'before'. All introduce subordinate clauses with BIFF order.
Temporal Connectors
| Swedish | English | Note |
|---|---|---|
| så snart (som) | as soon as | immediate sequence |
| tills / till dess att | until | endpoint |
| sedan / efter att | after | following action |
| medan | while | simultaneous |
Examples
Så snart jag kommer hem, ringer jag dig.
As soon as I get home, I'll call you.
så snart = immediate
Vänta här tills jag kommer tillbaka.
Wait here until I come back.
tills = until
Efter att han hade ätit, gick han ut.
After he had eaten, he went out.
efter att + past perfect
Medan du sov, städade jag.
While you were sleeping, I cleaned.
medan = simultaneous actions
4Causal and Result Conjunctions
Express cause-effect relationships with precision. 'Eftersom' (since/because) emphasizes known reason. 'Därför att' (because) gives explanation. 'Så att' (so that) expresses purpose or result. 'Alltså' and 'därför' (therefore) show conclusion in the main clause.
Causal/Result Connectors
| Swedish | English | Function |
|---|---|---|
| eftersom | since, because | known reason |
| därför att | because | explanation |
| så att | so that | purpose/result |
| alltså / därför | therefore | conclusion |
Examples
Eftersom det var sent, åkte vi hem.
Since it was late, we went home.
eftersom = known/shared reason
Hon stannade hemma därför att hon var sjuk.
She stayed home because she was sick.
därför att = explanation
Jag springer varje dag så att jag håller mig frisk.
I run every day so that I stay healthy.
så att = purpose
Bussen var försenad, alltså missade jag mötet.
The bus was delayed, so I missed the meeting.
alltså = therefore (main clause)