Norsk grammatikk
Fordi eller derfor?📕
Dergom and pordig are two words that are easy to mix up in Norwegian. We can use both words to connect effect and cause , but we don't use them exactly the same way.
Therefore is an adverb and means “That/this is why” / “therefore” / “hence” in English. We use therefore in the sentence that expresses effect .
Because is a subjunctive and means “because” in English. We use because in the sentence that expresses reason .
We can use two sentences expressing cause and effect as an example:
Effect : I was late.
Reason : The bus was late.
We can link these sentences together by using because or because .
1. The bus was late. That's why I was late.
2. I was late because the bus was delayed.
3. Because the bus was late, I was late.
It is important to remember that these two words belong to two different families. Why?
Because this affects sentence structure:
Therefore is an adverb, and the verb must be in 2nd place:
The bus was late. That's why I was late. (greeting sentence with V2)
Here you can see more examples:
I slept well last night. That's why I'm ready now.
Mom is coming to visit tomorrow. That's why I'm happy.
I love nature. That's why I live in Norway.
Because is a subjunction and introduces a clause. The clause can come first or last:
1. I was late because the bus was delayed.
2. Because the bus was late, I was late. (Remember that we put a comma after the clause, but not before it.)
Here you can see more examples:
I'm feeling better now because I slept well last night.
I'm happy because my mom is coming to visit tomorrow.
I live in Norway because I love nature.
Remember that when we use “ not ” and other phrasal adverbs in the clause, they come before the verb :
I'm not coming today because I 'm not in shape. ( clause )
Compare these sentences:
I am not in shape, that's why I won't come today.
I am coming not today because I don't is in shape.
Remember the rules for both complete sentences and clauses when using these words.
