Language/Norwegian-bokmal/Grammar/Present-tense-verbs

Norwegian Bokmål → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Introduction to Norwegian Bokmål grammar → Present tense verbs

Introduction

In this lesson, we will delve into the present tense of Norwegian Bokmål verbs. The present tense is essential in any language as it allows us to describe actions happening in the present moment. By mastering the present tense, you will be able to express yourself accurately and confidently in Norwegian Bokmål.

Throughout this lesson, we will explore the various forms and conjugations of present tense verbs, as well as their usage in different contexts. We will provide numerous examples to illustrate each point, ensuring a clear and thorough understanding of the topic. Additionally, we will include a cultural section to explore any regional variations in the usage or understanding of the present tense verbs in Norwegian Bokmål-speaking societies.

By the end of this lesson, you will have a solid foundation in the present tense of Norwegian Bokmål verbs and be able to construct sentences using them effectively.

Forms of Present Tense Verbs

In Norwegian Bokmål, the present tense of verbs has different forms depending on the subject pronouns. Let's take a look at the conjugation of present tense verbs for each subject pronoun:

Singular Pronouns

First Person Singular (Jeg/I)

The first-person singular pronoun in Norwegian Bokmål is "jeg" which translates to "I" in English. To conjugate a verb in the present tense for the first-person singular, simply remove the infinitive ending and add the appropriate present tense ending.

For example:

• "å snakke" (to speak) becomes "jeg snakker" (I speak)
• "å lese" (to read) becomes "jeg leser" (I read)
• "å skrive" (to write) becomes "jeg skriver" (I write)

Second Person Singular (Du/You)

The second-person singular pronoun in Norwegian Bokmål is "du" which also translates to "you" in English. To conjugate a verb in the present tense for the second-person singular, the process is the same as for the first-person singular. Remove the infinitive ending and add the appropriate present tense ending.

For example:

• "å snakke" (to speak) becomes "du snakker" (you speak)
• "å lese" (to read) becomes "du leser" (you read)
• "å skrive" (to write) becomes "du skriver" (you write)

Third Person Singular (Han/He, Hun/She, Den/It)

The third-person singular pronouns in Norwegian Bokmål are "han" (he), "hun" (she), and "den" (it). To conjugate a verb in the present tense for the third-person singular, again, remove the infinitive ending and add the appropriate present tense ending.

For example:

• "å snakke" (to speak) becomes "han snakker" (he speaks), "hun snakker" (she speaks), "den snakker" (it speaks)
• "å lese" (to read) becomes "han leser" (he reads), "hun leser" (she reads), "den leser" (it reads)
• "å skrive" (to write) becomes "han skriver" (he writes), "hun skriver" (she writes), "den skriver" (it writes)

Plural Pronouns

First Person Plural (Vi/We)

The first-person plural pronoun in Norwegian Bokmål is "vi" which translates to "we" in English. To conjugate a verb in the present tense for the first-person plural, remove the infinitive ending and add the appropriate present tense ending.

For example:

• "å snakke" (to speak) becomes "vi snakker" (we speak)
• "å lese" (to read) becomes "vi leser" (we read)
• "å skrive" (to write) becomes "vi skriver" (we write)

Second Person Plural (Dere/You)

The second-person plural pronoun in Norwegian Bokmål is "dere" which also translates to "you" in English. To conjugate a verb in the present tense for the second-person plural, the process is the same as for the first-person plural. Remove the infinitive ending and add the appropriate present tense ending.

For example:

• "å snakke" (to speak) becomes "dere snakker" (you speak)
• "å lese" (to read) becomes "dere leser" (you read)
• "å skrive" (to write) becomes "dere skriver" (you write)

Third Person Plural (De/They)

The third-person plural pronoun in Norwegian Bokmål is "de" which translates to "they" in English. To conjugate a verb in the present tense for the third-person plural, again, remove the infinitive ending and add the appropriate present tense ending.

For example:

• "å snakke" (to speak) becomes "de snakker" (they speak)
• "å lese" (to read) becomes "de leser" (they read)
• "å skrive" (to write) becomes "de skriver" (they write)

Cultural Insight

In Norwegian Bokmål-speaking societies, the usage of present tense verbs may vary slightly depending on the region. For example, in some regions, people may use different present tense endings or have slight differences in pronunciation. These regional variations add richness and diversity to the language, reflecting the unique cultural heritage and history of different areas in Norway.

Interestingly, Norwegian Bokmål has been influenced by the Danish language due to historical reasons. From the 14th to the 19th century, Denmark and Norway were united under a single monarch, resulting in the Danish language's influence on the Norwegian language, including verb conjugations. However, in the 19th century, efforts were made to differentiate Norwegian from Danish and establish Norwegian Bokmål as a distinct language.

Exercises

Now, let's practice what we've learned about the present tense of Norwegian Bokmål verbs. Complete the following exercises by conjugating the given verbs in the present tense for the specified subject pronoun. Solutions and explanations will be provided after each exercise.

Exercise 1

Conjugate the following verbs in the present tense for the first-person singular (jeg/I):

• "å spise" (to eat)
• "å drikke" (to drink)
• "å sove" (to sleep)

Exercise 2

Conjugate the following verbs in the present tense for the second-person singular (du/you):

• "å snakke" (to speak)
• "å lese" (to read)
• "å skrive" (to write)

Exercise 3

Conjugate the following verbs in the present tense for the third-person singular (han/he, hun/she, den/it):

• "å spille" (to play)
• "å danse" (to dance)
• "å synge" (to sing)

Exercise 4

Conjugate the following verbs in the present tense for the first-person plural (vi/we):

• "å se" (to see)
• "å gjøre" (to do)
• "å være" (to be)

Exercise 5

Conjugate the following verbs in the present tense for the second-person plural (dere/you):

• "å jobbe" (to work)
• "å studere" (to study)
• "å reise" (to travel)

Exercise 6

Conjugate the following verbs in the present tense for the third-person plural (de/they):

• "å bo" (to live)
• "å spørre" (to ask)
• "å svare" (to answer)

Solutions

Exercise 1

Conjugations for the first-person singular (jeg/I):

• "å spise" (to eat) becomes "jeg spiser" (I eat)
• "å drikke" (to drink) becomes "jeg drikker" (I drink)
• "å sove" (to sleep) becomes "jeg sover" (I sleep)

Exercise 2

Conjugations for the second-person singular (du/you):

• "å snakke" (to speak) becomes "du snakker" (you speak)
• "å lese" (to read) becomes "du leser" (you read)
• "å skrive" (to write) becomes "du skriver" (you write)

Exercise 3

Conjugations for the third-person singular (han/he, hun/she, den/it):

• "å spille" (to play) becomes "han spiller" (he plays), "hun spiller" (she plays), "den spiller" (it plays)
• "å danse" (to dance) becomes "han danser" (he dances), "hun danser" (she dances), "den danser" (it dances)
• "å synge" (to sing) becomes "han synger" (he sings), "hun synger" (she sings), "den synger" (it sings)

Exercise 4

Conjugations for the first-person plural (vi/we):

• "å se" (to see) becomes "vi ser" (we see)
• "å gjøre" (to do) becomes "vi gjør" (we do)
• "å være" (to be) becomes "vi er" (we are)

Exercise 5

Conjugations for the second-person plural (dere/you):

• "å jobbe" (to work) becomes "dere jobber" (you work)
• "å studere" (to study) becomes "dere studerer" (you study)
• "å reise" (to travel) becomes "dere reiser" (you travel)

Exercise 6

Conjugations for the third-person plural (de/they):

• "å bo" (to live) becomes "de bor" (they live)
• "å spørre" (to ask) becomes "de spør" (they ask)
• "å svare" (to answer) becomes "de svarer" (they answer)

Congratulations on completing the exercises! By practicing verb conjugations in the present tense, you are well on your way to mastering Norwegian Bokmål grammar.

Table of Contents - Norwegian Bokmål Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Norwegian Bokmål

• Alphabet and Pronunciation
• Basic Sentence Structure

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Basic Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Gender and Definite Articles
• Personal Pronouns

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-100
• Telling Time

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense

  ---

Daily Activities

• Daily Routine
• Hobbies and Interests

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjective Agreement
• Comparatives and Superlatives

  ---

Food and Drink

• Common Foods
• Eating Out

  ---

Prepositions and Conjunctions

• Common Prepositions
• Coordinating Conjunctions

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Asking for Directions

  ---

Questions and Negation

• Question Words
• Negation

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Expressing Emotions

  ---

Norwegian Customs and Traditions

• Holidays and Celebrations
• Etiquette and Social Norms

Other Lessons

• Past tense verbs
• Indirect speech
• Definite and indefinite forms of nouns
• Formal writing and communication
• How to Use Be
• Advanced sentence structure and syntax
• Relative clauses
• Academic writing and research skills
• Negation
• Basic sentence structure