StudyNorwegian•Grammar / Your Norwegian journey
B1Sentences and questions

Indirect questions

Report a question without question inversion.

Bokmål · nb-NO
GRAMMATIKK · BOKMÅL

Indirect questions

Use subject-before-verb order in an indirect question: hvor bussen går. Use om for yes/no questions. Add som when the question word is the subject: hvem som hadde skrevet den.

The rule, step by step

  1. Direct Hvor bor du? becomes Jeg spør hvor du bor. After hvor, put the subject before the verb.
  2. A reported yes/no question uses om: Jeg spør om du kommer.
  3. If the question word itself is the subject, use patterns such as hvem som: Jeg vet hvem som kommer.

Sentence pattern

hvor + subject + verb · hvem som + verb

Compare forms and usage
BokmålMeaning or use
Hvor bor hun? → hvor hun borLocation question
Kommer hun? → om hun kommerYes/no question
Hvem kommer? → hvem som kommerSubject question

Everyday examples

Example 1

Jeg vet ikke hvor bussen går.

I do not know where the bus goes.

Example 2

Hun spør hvem som kommer.

She asks who is coming.

Example 3

Han spør om jeg har tid.

He asks whether I have time.

Example 4

Kan du si hvor biblioteket ligger?

Can you tell me where the library is?

A common error or a difference in meaning

Form to review

Jeg vet ikke hvor går bussen.

Correct form for the intended meaning

Jeg vet ikke hvor bussen går.

The reported question is subordinate, so bussen precedes går.

Put the rule into practice

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VELG

Choose the form that fits the rule and meaning explained in this lesson.

FYLL INN

Complete the gap using the appropriate form of the given word.

Given word: bo

Jeg vet ikke hvor hun _____.

SETT I REKKEFØLGE

Rebuild the example, starting with “Jeg”: I do not know where the bus goes.

…

Continue with the same subject

Verb-second word order A1Yes/no questions A1The dummy subject det A1Subordinate clauses with at B1

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