i synnerhet

In Particular

Level 4

Use i synnerhet to say 'in particular' or 'especially', adding emphasis to a specific point.

How It Works

i synnerhet is an adverbial phrase that can sound somewhat formal that translates to 'in particular' or 'especially'. It's used to single out and emphasize a specific person, thing, or circumstance from a broader group or statement. It adds a layer of focus and is more common in written or formal spoken Swedish than its synonym särskilt.

Sentence Position:
As an adverbial, i synnerhet has flexible placement:

  • Mid-sentence: It can be placed after the main verb or between two nouns/clauses to connect a general idea with a specific example. The phrase’s position helps identify what is being highlighted.
    Jag gillar svensk musik, i synnerhet popmusiken från 80-talet. (I like Swedish music, in particular the pop music from the 80s.)
  • At the beginning of a clause: When it alone occupies the first constituent position in an ordinary declarative clause, the finite verb follows it. If it belongs to a larger focused phrase, the whole phrase precedes the verb.
    I synnerhet är det viktigt att följa instruktionerna noga. (In particular, it is important to follow the instructions carefully.)
  • At the end of a clause: It can also be placed at the end for emphasis, often separated by a comma in writing.
    Många av hans böcker är bra, den sista i synnerhet. (Many of his books are good, the last one in particular.)

Comparison with Synonyms:

  • särskilt: More common in everyday speech and less formal than i synnerhet.
  • framför allt: Means 'above all'. It's very similar and often interchangeable, but framför allt can imply a ranking of importance, while i synnerhet simply singles out an example.

Focus Is More Specific Than Position
Compare I synnerhet unga människor påverkas with I synnerhet påverkas unga människor. The first groups the focusing expression with the subject; the second places it separately before the finite verb. Both are possible. I synnerhet can also follow its focus, as in min yngsta son i synnerhet. A comma is useful around a detached supplement, not an automatic requirement whenever the expression appears.

Examples (5)

  1. Jag tycker om många svenska författare, i synnerhet August Strindberg.

    I like many Swedish authors, in particular August Strindberg.

    Word by Word: I like about many Swedish authors, in particular August Strindberg.

  2. Projektet kräver noggrann planering, i synnerhet när det gäller budgeten.

    The project requires careful planning, particularly when it comes to the budget.

    Word by Word: The project requires careful planning, in particular when it concerns the budget.

  3. I synnerhet unga människor påverkas av sociala medier.

    Young people in particular are affected by social media.

    Word by Word: In particular young people are affected by social media.

    The whole phrase I synnerhet unga människor is the subject in the first constituent position; finite påverkas is second. V2 still applies. I synnerhet focuses on the young people rather than occupying a separate initial position.

  4. Alla måste hjälpa till. I synnerhet gäller detta på helgerna.

    Everyone must help out. This is especially true on the weekends.

    Word by Word: Everyone must help to. In particular applies this on the weekends.

    Here I synnerhet alone fills the first constituent position of the second declarative clause, followed by finite gäller and subject detta.

  5. Hela familjen älskar att åka skidor, min yngsta son i synnerhet.

    The whole family loves to ski, my youngest son in particular.

    Word by Word: The whole family loves to go skis, my youngest son in particular.

Common Mistakes

  • Using i synnerhet as an adjective before a noun.

    Jag gillar den i synnerhet bilen.
    Jag gillar den här särskilda bilen.

    I synnerhet is a focusing adverbial, not an inflecting adjective to insert between den and bilen. Use Jag gillar i synnerhet den här bilen for “I especially like this car”, or Jag gillar den här särskilda bilen for “I like this particular car”. It can focus a whole noun phrase, as the young-people example shows.

How It Connects

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

i synnerhetLevel 4In Particular

Learn This First

To understand 'i synnerhet' (in particular), learners should be familiar with the basic preposition 'i' and the common abstract noun suffix '-het'. This phrase functions as a fixed specification marker used to highlight a specific item within a group.

Words in This Pattern

synnerheti