om (konjunktion)

Whether / if (Om)

Level 2

Use om to report a question that doesn't have a question word (like 'who' or 'where'). It translates to 'whether' or 'if' in sentences like 'I don't know if he is coming.'

How It Works

The conjunction om functions as a subordinating conjunction. It is used when you want to report a question that originally had a 'yes' or 'no' answer.

1. Word Order (The S-A-V Rule):
When you use om, the clause follows subordinate clause word order. This means the subject comes before the verb, and any adverbs (like ikke) must come before the verb.

  • Direct: Kommer han? (Verb-Subject)
  • Indirect: Jeg ved ikke, om han kommer. (Subject-Verb)

2. Om vs. Hvis:
This is a common trap for English speakers.

  • Use om if you can replace 'if' with 'whether' (e.g., 'I wonder if/whether it works').
  • Use hvis if it describes a condition (e.g., 'If it rains, I stay home').

3. Formal Alternative:
In very formal or academic writing, you might see hvorvidt used instead of om, but om is the standard for everyday communication.

Examples (4)

  1. Jeg ved ikke, om det regner.

    I don't know if/whether it is raining.

    Word by Word: I know not, whether it rains.

    Here 'om' introduces the indirect question. Notice the subject 'det' comes before the verb 'regner'.

  2. Hun spurgte, om jeg var sulten.

    She asked if I was hungry.

    Word by Word: She asked, whether I was hungry.

    This reports the direct question 'Er du sulten?'. The inversion is removed in the 'om' clause.

  3. Vi er i tvivl om, hvorvidt det er muligt.

    We are in doubt as to whether it is possible.

    Word by Word: We are in doubt about, whether it is possible.

    This uses the formal 'hvorvidt' to show an alternative to 'om' in a more serious context.

  4. Jeg ved ikke, om han ikke kommer i dag.

    I don't know if he isn't coming today.

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

    Notice that 'ikke' (the adverb) must come before the verb 'kommer' in an 'om' clause.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'hvis' instead of 'om' for indirect questions.

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

    'Hvis' is only for conditions (if... then). For questions (whether), you must use 'om'.

  • Using question word order (inversion) inside the 'om' clause.

    Hun spurgte, om var jeg glad.
    Hun spurgte, om jeg var glad.

    In a subordinate clause starting with 'om', the subject must come before the verb.

  • Placing 'ikke' after the verb in the 'om' clause.

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

    In Danish subordinate clauses, sentence adverbs like 'ikke' move to a position before the finite verb.

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om (konjunktion)Level 2Whether / if (Om)

Learn This First

To use 'om' as 'whether', you need to understand how to form basic yes/no questions, as 'om' effectively turns these into indirect questions. You also need to be familiar with Danish subordinate clause structure, particularly how it differs from main clause word order regarding the placement of 'ikke'.

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om