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A1🔄Verbs & Tenses
Present Tense
Presens
Norwegian present tense is formed by adding -r to the infinitive. Unlike English, there is only one present form — no distinction between 'I eat' and 'I am eating'. The verb form is the same for all persons.
Rule
infinitive + -r (å spise → spiser)
Examples
Jeg spiser frokost.
I eat breakfast.
Hun jobber på kontoret.
She works at the office.
Vi bor i Oslo.
We live in Oslo.
Common Mistake
✗
Jeg er spiser.
✓
Jeg spiser.
Indian learners familiar with English often add 'er' (is) before the verb, creating a double verb like 'I am eat'. Norwegian present tense uses only the -r form.
English vs Norwegian
| English | Norsk |
|---|---|
| I eat breakfast. | Jeg spiser frokost. |
| She works at the office. | Hun jobber på kontoret. |
| We live in Oslo. | Vi bor i Oslo. |
English
I eat breakfast.
Norsk
Jeg spiser frokost.
English
She works at the office.
Norsk
Hun jobber på kontoret.
English
We live in Oslo.
Norsk
Vi bor i Oslo.