ifølge

According to (Ifølge)

Level 3

Use ifølge to attribute information to a source (like a person or a report) or to show that something is happening as planned or required by law.

How It Works

The preposition ifølge is essential for reporting facts and citing sources. It is derived from the verb følge (to follow) and functions as a frozen form that never changes.

1. Citing Sources
It is most commonly used to introduce a source of information. This can be a person, a document, or an organization. For example: Ifølge politiet... (According to the police...).

2. Following Rules or Plans
It is also used to indicate that an action is consistent with a guideline, such as a law (loven) or a plan (planen).

3. Word Order and Usage
When ifølge starts a sentence, it often triggers the verb-second rule, meaning the verb will come immediately after the 'ifølge [source]' phrase. Unlike English, you do not add an extra preposition like 'to' after it; it attaches directly to the noun.

4. Nuance: Subjective vs. Objective
While you can technically say ifølge mig, it sounds unnatural for personal opinions. Native speakers prefer to use mener or the phrase efter min mening for subjective thoughts.

Examples (4)

  1. Ifølge vejrudsigten bliver det solskin i morgen.

    According to the weather forecast, it will be sunny tomorrow.

    Word by Word: According to weather-forecast-the becomes it sunshine in tomorrow.

    Here, 'ifølge' introduces an external source of information (the forecast).

  2. Alt gik ifølge planen.

    Everything went according to plan.

    Word by Word: Everything went according to plan-the.

    In this context, 'ifølge' shows that an event was consistent with a previously established plan.

  3. Ifølge undersøgelsen sover danskerne mere end før.

    According to the study, Danes sleep more than before.

    Word by Word: According to study-the sleep Danes-the more than before.

    This demonstrates the use of 'ifølge' in a journalistic or academic context to cite a study.

  4. Ifølge min mor er butikken lukket.

    According to my mother, the shop is closed.

    Word by Word: According to my mother is shop-the closed.

    Even with personal sources, 'ifølge' is used to report a fact they have stated.

Common Mistakes

  • Adding 'til' after 'ifølge'.

    Ifølge til avisen er det sandt.
    Ifølge avisen er det sandt.

    Learners often translate 'according to' literally. In Danish, 'ifølge' is a preposition that takes the noun directly without 'til'.

  • Confusing 'ifølge' with 'i følge'.

    Jeg kom ifølge med min ven.
    Jeg kom i følge med min ven.

    One word 'ifølge' means 'according to'. Two words 'i følge' is used in the phrase 'i følge med', meaning 'in the company of'.

  • Using 'ifølge mig' for personal opinions.

    Ifølge mig er filmen god.
    Jeg synes, at filmen er god.

    Use 'ifølge' for facts or external sources. For personal feelings or opinions, use the verb 'synes' or 'mener'.

How It Connects

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ifølgeLevel 3According to (Ifølge)

Learn This First

To use 'ifølge' (according to) correctly, you need to understand how to form definite nouns and use possessive pronouns, as these are the most common objects of the preposition. Additionally, because 'ifølge' phrases often appear at the beginning of sentences, you must be familiar with Danish V2 word order.

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ifølge