icke/ej
Inte is the neutral everyday choice. Recognize ej on notices and icke in formal wording, fixed expressions and compounds.
How It Works
In modern Swedish, the standard word for negation is inte. However, you will encounter two older forms, ej and icke, in specific situations. Using them correctly requires understanding their register and context.
Usage of 'Ej'
Ej appears especially in formal writing, including short notices. It often negates a single verb or a short phrase.
- Signs and Public Notices: This is where you are most likely to see 'ej'.
Ex: "Ej i trafik" (Not in service), "Får ej vidröras" (May not be touched) - Formal Instructions and Documents: Common in legal texts, contracts, and user manuals.
Ex: "Säljaren är ej ansvarig för skador..." (The seller is not responsible for damages...) - Formal Written Language: Can be used in academic writing or journalism to create a formal tone, though 'inte' is also common here.
Usage of 'Icke'
Icke as a free negation can be formal or solemn. In compounds it is often stylistically neutral, and fixed expressions can be conversational.
- As a Prefix: In compounds, icke- often corresponds to the English prefix "non-".
Ex: "icke-våld" (non-violence), "en icke-fråga" (a non-issue) - Very Formal or Literary Language: Used in philosophical, theological, or older literary texts for a solemn or archaic effect.
Ex: "...att vara eller icke vara, det är frågan." (...to be or not to be, that is the question.) - Fixed Expressions: Appears in some set phrases.
Ex: "sist men icke minst" (last but not least)
Placement
When used to negate a clause, 'ej' and 'icke' follow the same placement rules as 'inte', typically coming after the finite verb in a main clause (V2 rule).
A fixed expression such as icke sa Nicke is conversational. The compound spellings icke-fråga, icke-rökare and icke-våld are recorded in Svensk ordbok; their use does not automatically make an utterance archaic.
Examples (5)
- Gräset får ej beträdas.
The grass may not be walked on.
Word by Word: The grass may not be-walked-on.
A common example of 'ej' on a public sign. It's a formal prohibition.
- Detta är en icke-fråga för oss.
This is a non-issue for us.
Word by Word: This is a non-issue for us.
Here, 'icke' is used as a prefix to create a compound noun, meaning 'non-issue'.
- Sist, men icke minst, vill jag tacka publiken.
Last, but not least, I want to thank the audience.
Word by Word: Last, but not least, want I thank the-audience.
An example of 'icke' in a common fixed expression.
- Bussen är ej i trafik.
The bus is not in service.
Word by Word: The-bus is not in service.
'Ej' is often used on digital signs for public transport.
- Principen om icke-våld är fundamental.
The principle of non-violence is fundamental.
Word by Word: The-principle of non-violence is fundamental.
'Icke' is used as a prefix in a philosophical or political context.
Common Mistakes
Using infinitive vara in a present-tense notice.
Bussen vara ej i trafik.Bussen är ej i trafik.Är is the finite present form. Ej is normal notice wording; inte is also possible. A spoken sentence with ej is grammatically valid but can sound deliberately formal.
Putting clause negation before a subject-first main clause’s finite verb.
Liften icke är i drift.Liften är icke i drift.In this main clause the finite verb är comes second, before icke. Both icke and ej are possible; their register differs, not their basic grammaticality.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand archaic negation, you first need a solid grasp of how standard negation works in Swedish using 'inte'. You should be comfortable with where the negation is placed in a sentence and understand the difference between formal written Swedish and everyday spoken language, as these archaic forms are almost exclusively found in formal, legal, or literary texts.
- Negation in main clauses
Learners must know where to place a negation particle in a standard Swedish sentence before substituting it with formal variants.
Level 1 - Register differences
Since 'icke' and 'ej' are primarily used in formal writing or specific archaic contexts, understanding register differences is crucial for their correct application.
Level 5
Related Patterns
- inteNot
Inte is the neutral everyday clause negation. Ej and icke can express the same negation with a different register; fixed expressions and compounds have their own established use.
Level 1 - Academic/legal register
Ej and free icke occur in formal texts, but formal writing also uses inte. Their presence is not required for a formal style.
Level 6 - o-Un-/in-
Both o- and icke- can form negative words. Icke- occurs with adjectives as well as nouns, for example icke-demokratisk and icke-rökare. Learn established compounds; the prefixes are not universally interchangeable.
Level 3 - ingen/inget/ingaNo One/nothing/none
While 'icke' and 'ej' are negative adverbs, ingen/inget/inga are negative pronouns/determiners ('no', 'none'). They represent a different way to express negation in a sentence.
Level 2 - Verb-second rule
In a subject-first declarative main clause, the finite verb precedes clause negation: Bussen är ej i trafik. In a subordinate clause, negation normally precedes the finite verb: att bussen ej är i trafik.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice icke/ej in Bubblegum
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