Multi-word prepositions
Complex prepositions are fixed phrases like 'på grund av' (because of) or 'i stället för' (instead of). They act like single prepositions but express more specific meanings about cause, location, or substitution.
How It Works
While simple prepositions like i, på, and till are fundamental, Swedish uses many multi-word prepositions to express more nuanced and specific relationships. These are fixed expressions that function as a single grammatical unit.
They can be grouped by their meaning:
1. Cause and Reason:
- på grund av: 'because of', 'due to'. States a cause, whether its outcome is good, bad or neutral.
- tack vare: 'thanks to'. Usually frames a cause as favorable; ironic uses also occur.
- till följd av: 'as a result of'. Often used in formal contexts for consequences.
2. Substitution and Alternative:
- i stället för: 'instead of'.
3. Relation and Reference:
- när det gäller: 'when it comes to', 'regarding'.
- med hänsyn till: 'with regard to', 'considering'.
- i samband med: 'in connection with', 'in conjunction with'.
4. Position and Location:
- mitt emot: 'opposite', 'across from'.
- vid sidan av: 'next to', 'beside'.
5. Addition and Exception:
- med undantag av: 'with the exception of', 'except for'.
- bortsett från: 'apart from', 'besides'.
Learn the established wording of each expression. They do not all have identical internal syntax or complement options. For example, you cannot say 'på av grund'—it must be 'på grund av'.
The list also includes functionally related expressions with different syntax. När det gäller contains a finite verb and a clause structure; it is not literally a preposition followed by a noun. Mitt emot can also be written mittemot.
Examples (6)
- Matchen blev inställd på grund av stormen.
The match was canceled because of the storm.
Word by Word: The match became canceled on ground of the storm.
- Jag dricker te i stället för kaffe på kvällen.
I drink tea instead of coffee in the evening.
Word by Word: I drink tea in place for coffee in the evening.
- Vi hittade hem tack vare en vänlig främling.
We found our way home thanks to a kind stranger.
Word by Word: We found home thanks to a kind stranger.
- Han sitter mitt emot mig vid bordet.
He is sitting opposite me at the table.
Word by Word: He sits middle against me at the table.
- Flera vägar stängdes av i samband med statsbesöket.
Several roads were closed in connection with the state visit.
Word by Word: Several roads were closed off in connection with the state visit.
- Med hänsyn till din allergi har jag inte använt nötter.
With regard to your allergy, I haven't used nuts.
Word by Word: With regard to your allergy have I not used nuts.
Common Mistakes
Expecting på grund av to express gratitude as clearly as tack vare.
Jag klarade provet på grund av min lärare.Jag klarade provet tack vare min lärare.Both sentences can describe success caused by the teacher’s help. På grund av does not mean the teacher was an obstacle. Tack vare usually adds a favorable or appreciative framing; ironic uses are also possible.
Separating the words in the prepositional phrase.
Jag kom för sent på av grund trafiken.Jag kom för sent på grund av trafiken.The established phrase is på grund av, not på av grund. This does not mean every expression in the lesson has exactly the same internal structure or allows only noun complements.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Complex prepositions in Swedish are multi-word phrases that function as a single prepositional unit. To understand them, a learner must first be familiar with the basic, single-word prepositions that form their components, as these phrases often combine a preposition, a noun, and another preposition to create a specific meaning.
- iIn
Basic prepositions like 'i' (in) are the core building blocks of many complex prepositional phrases.
Level 1 - tillTo
The preposition 'till' (to) is a frequent terminal element in multi-word prepositions such as 'i förhållande till'.
Level 1 - förFor/because
The preposition 'för' (for) is a common component in complex structures like 'i stället för'.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- på grund avBecause Of/due to
På grund av states a cause without inherently classifying the outcome as good or bad. Tack vare more clearly suggests a favorable cause in its ordinary use.
Level 4 - tack vareThanks to
Tack vare usually presents a favorable cause. På grund av can also introduce a positive cause; the distinction is framing, not a strict positive/negative division.
Level 4 - i stället för attInstead of -ing
This pattern shows how a complex preposition ('i stället för') can be extended with 'att' to introduce an action (a verb clause) rather than just a noun, highlighting their grammatical flexibility.
Level 3 - Prepositional verbs
It's important to distinguish fixed complex prepositions from prepositional verbs (e.g., 'titta på' - to look at). In the latter, the preposition is tied to the verb, whereas a complex preposition is an independent unit that can be used with many different verbs.
Level 3
Practice Multi-word prepositions in Bubblegum
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