StudyNorwegian•Grammar / Your Norwegian journey
A2Verbs and tenses

The infinitive with å

Use å with the infinitive when the construction requires it.

Bokmål · nb-NO
GRAMMATIKK · BOKMÅL

The infinitive with å

Å introduces an infinitive: å lese. After liker you can say liker å lese.

The rule, step by step

  1. The infinitive is the basic form, such as lese. Use å in constructions like liker å lese.
  2. Do not add a present ending after å: use å jobbe, not å jobber.
  3. Some verbs, especially kan, må and skal, take infinitives without å. Learn each construction.

Sentence pattern

liker / ønsker + å + infinitive

Compare forms and usage
BokmålMeaning or use
liker å leselikes reading
prøver å læretries to learn
kan lesecan read

Everyday examples

Example 1

Jeg liker å lese bøker.

I like reading books.

Example 2

Hun ønsker å lære norsk.

She wants to learn Norwegian.

Example 3

Jeg prøver å snakke norsk hver dag.

I try to speak Norwegian every day.

A common error or a difference in meaning

Form to review

Jeg liker å leser bøker.

Correct form for the intended meaning

Jeg liker å lese bøker.

Å takes the infinitive lese. Leser is the present form.

Put the rule into practice

0/3

Personal review progress on this device. It does not complete a reading lesson or award XP.

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: lese

Hun liker å _____ bøker.

SETT I REKKEFØLGE

Rebuild the example, starting with “Jeg”: I like reading books.

…

Continue with the same subject

Present tense A1Past tense A2Plans with skal A2Irregular past tense A2

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