när det gäller
When It Comes to
'När det gäller' is a set phrase that translates to 'when it comes to' or 'regarding'. It's used to introduce the specific subject you are about to comment on.
How It Works
'När det gäller' is a very common and useful fixed expression in Swedish. It literally means 'when it concerns' but is best translated as 'when it comes to', 'regarding', or 'as for'.
Function:
Its main purpose is to set the context or narrow the focus of a sentence to a particular topic before making a statement about it.
Word Order:
The most important grammatical rule associated with this phrase is word order. When a sentence begins with 'När det gäller + [TOPIC]', this entire phrase is considered the first element (the topic). Therefore, the main clause that follows must adhere to the verb-second rule, so the finite verb follows the initial constituent. The comma is not what determines the word order and can be omitted here.
- Example: När det gäller vin, föredrar jag rött. (When it comes to wine, I prefer red.)
Here, 'När det gäller vin' is position 1, and the verb 'föredrar' is in position 2.
While most common at the beginning of a sentence, the phrase can also appear in the middle or at the end, in which case it doesn't affect the word order of the main clause.
- Example: Han är väldigt kunnig när det gäller datorer. (He is very knowledgeable when it comes to computers.)
The topic following 'när det gäller' can be a noun, a noun phrase, or an infinitive phrase (e.g., när det gäller att välja...). Att välja has no finite verb and is not a finite att-clause.
Examples (4)
- När det gäller mat, älskar jag italienskt.
When it comes to food, I love Italian.
Word by Word: When it concerns food, love I Italian.
The phrase 'När det gäller mat' introduces the topic. Notice the V2 inversion where the verb 'älskar' comes before the subject 'jag'.
- Han är expert när det gäller gamla bilar.
He is an expert when it comes to old cars.
Word by Word: He is expert when it concerns old cars.
- När det gäller att lära sig språk, är tålamod viktigt.
When it comes to learning languages, patience is important.
Word by Word: When it concerns to learn languages, is patience important.
Here, the topic is an activity, introduced by 'att' + infinitive.
- Vi är överens om det mesta, men när det gäller pengar bråkar vi alltid.
We agree on most things, but when it comes to money, we always argue.
Word by Word: We are agreed on the most, but when it concerns money argue we always.
Common Mistakes
Forgetting V2 inversion
När det gäller sport, jag gillar fotboll mest.När det gäller sport, gillar jag fotboll mest.In this integrated declarative construction, the initial topic constituent precedes finite gillar, then subject jag. A comma does not license English subject-before-verb order. När det gäller sport så gillar jag fotboll mest is also possible.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The expression 'när det gäller' is a fixed idiomatic phrase used to introduce a topic. To understand it, a learner needs to be familiar with the conjunction 'när' (when), the impersonal use of the pronoun 'det' (it), and the basic conjugation of the verb 'gälla' (to concern/apply).
- när (subjunktion)When
The pattern uses 'när' as a subordinating conjunction to introduce the topic clause.
Level 2 - det ärIt Is
Understanding the impersonal use of 'det' is essential for the fixed expression 'det gäller'.
Level 2 - -erSecond Conjugation Verbs
The verb 'gäller' is a second conjugation (-er) verb, and recognizing its present tense form is necessary for the pattern.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- Verb-second rule
An integrated initial när det gäller phrase occupies the first constituent position in an ordinary declarative clause. It may instead be resumed by så: När det gäller sport så gillar jag fotboll.
Level 3 - vad...beträffarAs For/regarding
A more formal synonym for 'när det gäller'. Both are used to mean 'as for' or 'regarding' to introduce a topic.
Level 4 - angåendeRegarding/concerning
A preposition that also means 'regarding' or 'concerning'. It can often be used in similar contexts, but 'när det gäller' is a full phrase and is more common in spoken language.
Level 4 - Fronting for emphasis
'När det gäller' is a common way to perform topicalization, which is the act of moving a topic to the front of the sentence to establish context or give it emphasis.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice när det gäller in Bubblegum
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