at (konjunktion)

That (At)

Level 2

The Danish word at acts like the English 'that'. It connects a main idea (like 'I think') to a specific statement (like 'it is raining').

How It Works

In Danish, at is a subordinating conjunction used to link a main clause to a content clause.

1. Word Order: The most important thing to remember is that at triggers subordinate clause word order. This means that sentence adverbs like ikke (not) or altid (always) must come before the verb.

2. The Comma Rule: In written Danish, you should place a comma before at when it introduces a subordinate clause. While some modern systems allow for its omission, the traditional "start-komma" remains the standard in education and formal writing. For example: Jeg ved, at du har ret.

3. Omission: Just like in English, you can often drop at in casual speech after common verbs like tror (believe) or siger (says). For example: Jeg tror, (at) han kommer.

4. Mandatory Usage: You cannot drop at if:

  • The clause is the subject: At han vandt, er utroligt. (That he won is incredible.)
  • It follows a preposition: Jeg er glad for, at du er her. (I am happy [for] that you are here.)

5. Pronunciation: As a conjunction, it is usually pronounced with a clear 'æ' sound [æd], distinguishing it from the infinitive marker at which sounds like 'å' [ɑ]. However, in fast, casual speech, the conjunction at can be reduced and sound identical to the infinitive marker or the word og.

Examples (5)

  1. Jeg ved, at han ikke kommer i dag.

    I know that he is not coming today.

    Word by Word: I know, that he not comes in day.

    Notice how 'ikke' comes before the verb 'kommer' because 'at' starts a subordinate clause.

  2. Hun sagde, at hun var træt.

    She said that she was tired.

    Word by Word: She said, that she was tired.

    A standard use of 'at' to report what someone said.

  3. At du er her, betyder meget for mig.

    That you are here means a lot to me.

    Word by Word: That you are here, means much for me.

    Here, 'at' is mandatory because the entire clause 'At du er her' is the subject of the sentence.

  4. Jeg er sikker på, at de vinder.

    I am sure that they will win.

    Word by Word: I am sure on, that they win.

    When 'at' follows a preposition (på), it cannot be omitted.

  5. Jeg tror, at det bliver regnvejr.

    I think that it will be rainy weather.

    Word by Word: I think, that it becomes rain-weather.

    In this sentence, 'at' could be omitted in casual speech: 'Jeg tror det bliver regnvejr'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using main clause word order (V2) after 'at'.

    Jeg ved, at han kommer ikke.
    Jeg ved, at han ikke kommer.

    In standard written Danish, a subordinate clause after 'at' puts 'ikke' before the verb: at han ikke kommer. Main clause order (han kommer ikke) is sometimes heard in speech, but it is not the standard form.

  • Confusing 'at' (that) with 'om' (if/whether).

    Jeg ved ikke, at han kommer.
    Jeg ved ikke, om han kommer.

    Use 'at' for facts or beliefs. Use 'om' when there is doubt or a question (if/whether).

How It Connects

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at (konjunktion)Level 2That (At)

Learn This First

To use 'at' as a conjunction, you need to understand how to form basic sentences with conjugated verbs. Since 'at' introduces a new clause (a 'that-clause') within a main sentence, familiarity with standard Danish word order and verb placement is necessary to correctly structure the entire statement.

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