det ... at + Clause

Anticipatory Det

Level 3

In Danish, every main clause needs a subject in the first position. When the 'real' subject is a long phrase (like 'to learn Danish'), we put a dummy det at the start and move the long phrase to the end.

How It Works

Danish sentences generally follow a strict structure where the subject must be visible. However, starting a sentence with a long at-clause or an infinitive phrase can feel heavy. We use an anticipatory det (the foreløbigt subjekt) to move the heavy part (the egentligt subjekt) to the end.

1. The Structure:
Instead of saying 'At lære dansk er sjovt', we say: Det er sjovt at lære dansk.

  • Det: The placeholder subject (foreløbigt subjekt).
  • er sjovt: The verb and adjective.
  • at lære dansk: The 'real' subject (egentligt subjekt) moved to the end.

2. Punctuation Rules:

  • At-clauses: You will often see a comma before the clause (e.g., Det er godt, at du kom). In modern Danish, this 'startkomma' is optional, but many writers still use it for clarity.
  • Infinitive phrases: You do not use a comma before the infinitive (e.g., Det er godt at se dig).

3. Word Order and Negation:
Placement of ikke depends on the construction:

  • In an at-clause, follow subordinate clause word order (ikke comes before the verb): Det er ærgerligt, at han ikke kommer.
  • In an infinitive phrase, ikke must be placed before 'at': Det er vigtigt ikke at glemme nøglen.

Examples (4)

  1. Det er dejligt, at solen skinner.

    It is lovely that the sun is shining.

    Word by Word: It is lovely, that sun-the shines.

    A comma is often placed before the 'at-clause', though it is optional in modern Danish. 'Det' anticipates the clause 'at solen skinner'.

  2. Det er svært at udtale 'rødgrød med fløde'.

    It is difficult to pronounce 'rødgrød med fløde'.

    Word by Word: It is difficult to pronounce 'rødgrød med fløde'.

    No comma is used before an infinitive phrase. The 'egentligt subjekt' (real subject) is 'at udtale...'.

  3. Det undrer mig, at han ikke har ringet.

    It surprises me that he hasn't called.

    Word by Word: It wonders me, that he not has called.

    In an 'at-clause', the adverb 'ikke' comes before the verb. The comma before 'at' is optional.

  4. Det er vigtigt ikke at glemme det.

    It is important not to forget it.

    Word by Word: It is important not to forget it.

    In an infinitive phrase, 'ikke' is placed before 'at'.

Common Mistakes

  • Omitting the 'det' entirely.

    Er vigtigt at spise morgenmad.
    Det er vigtigt at spise morgenmad.

    Danish is not a 'pro-drop' language; you must have a subject in the first position. You cannot start with the verb in a statement.

  • Using 'den' instead of 'det' based on a noun in the clause.

    Den er spændende, at bogen udkommer snart.
    Det er spændende, at bogen udkommer snart.

    The anticipatory subject is a fixed grammatical form. It is always 'det', regardless of the gender of nouns like 'bogen' (common gender) later in the sentence.

  • Confusing anticipatory 'det' with existential 'der'.

    Der er sjovt at svømme.
    Det er sjovt at svømme.

    Use 'der' for existence (There is a cat). Use 'det' to evaluate or introduce a clause (It is fun to...).

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

det ... at + ClauseLevel 3Anticipatory Det

Learn This First

To understand anticipatory 'det', you need to be familiar with how 'det' functions as a formal subject in simple sentences. You also need to understand how 'at' functions both as a conjunction for subordinate clauses and as a marker for infinitive phrases, as these are the elements that 'det' anticipates.

Words in This Pattern

at