også

Also / Too

Level 1

Også is the Danish word for 'also' or 'too'. Its position in a sentence changes depending on whether you are making a main statement or using a sub-clause.

How It Works

1. Word Order in Main Clauses
In standard sentences, også is placed after the finite verb. However, if the sentence is inverted (e.g., starting with a time or place), også must follow the subject (V2 rule).
Standard: Jeg spiser også æbler. (I also eat apples.)
Inverted: Nu spiser jeg også æbler. (Now I also eat apples.)

2. Object Shift with Pronouns
A special rule applies when the object is an unstressed object pronoun (like mig, dig, ham, hende, den, det). In these cases, også moves to a position after the pronoun.
Example: Jeg kender ham også. (I know him too.)
Compare with a noun: Jeg kender også manden. (I also know the man.)

3. Compound Verbs
When using an auxiliary verb (like have or a modal verb), også is placed between the auxiliary verb and the main verb.
Example: Jeg vil også spise æbler. (I also want to eat apples.)

4. Word Order in Subordinate Clauses
In clauses starting with words like fordi (because) or at (that), også moves to a position before the verb.
Example: ...fordi jeg også spiser æbler. (...because I also eat apples.)

5. Short Responses
To say 'Me too', the most natural idiomatic expression is 'Også mig'. You can also say 'Det gør jeg også' (I do too).

6. Modal Nuance
Sometimes også is used for emphasis or to express annoyance.
Example: Det er også for dårligt! (That really is too bad!)

Examples (6)

  1. Jeg vil også have en is.

    I want an ice cream too.

    Word by Word: I will also have an ice.

    In a simple main clause, 'også' follows the modal verb 'vil'.

  2. Det synes jeg også.

    I think so too / I agree.

    Word by Word: That think I also.

    When the object 'Det' starts the sentence, the verb stays in second place, and 'også' follows the subject.

  3. Han sagde, at han også var træt.

    He said that he was also tired.

    Word by Word: He said, that he also was tired.

    In the 'at'-clause (subordinate clause), 'også' is placed before the verb 'var'.

  4. Jeg kender ham også.

    I know him too.

    Word by Word: I know him also.

    When the object is a light pronoun like 'ham', 'også' moves to the position after the pronoun.

  5. Også mig!

    Me too!

    Word by Word: Also me!

    This is the standard way to agree with a positive statement in a short form.

  6. Vi skal også huske mælken.

    We must also remember the milk.

    Word by Word: We shall also remember milk-the.

    Note that 'også' is placed after the first (finite) verb 'skal'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'også' in negative sentences.

    Jeg kan ikke lide det også.
    Jeg kan heller ikke lide det.

    In Danish, you cannot use 'også' to mean 'either' in a negative sentence. You must use 'heller ikke'.

  • Placing 'også' before the verb in a main clause (English word order).

    Jeg også kommer.
    Jeg kommer også.

    Danish follows the V2 rule; the verb must come before the adverb 'også' in a standard main clause.

  • Starting a sentence with 'Også' to mean 'Furthermore'.

    Også, vi skal gå nu.
    Desuden skal vi gå nu.

    While English often starts sentences with 'Also, ...', Danish prefers 'Desuden' or 'Derudover' for this purpose.

How It Connects

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ogsåLevel 1Also / Too

Learn This First

To use 'også' (also/too), you need to understand basic sentence structure, particularly that it follows the verb. You also need to be familiar with subject pronouns and basic verb conjugation to form complete thoughts.

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også