B1 Danish GrammarInfinitive vs Gerund
Master when to use the infinitive (at + verb) versus verbal noun constructions in Danish. Unlike English, Danish does not have a true gerund (-ing form), but uses infinitive constructions, verbal nouns, or present participles to express similar meanings.
1The Danish Infinitive with 'at'
The Danish infinitive is formed with 'at' + the base verb form. This is the primary way Danish expresses what English often does with infinitives ('to do') or gerunds ('doing'). The infinitive marker 'at' is required after most verbs, adjectives, and expressions that take a complement clause.
Infinitive Formation
| Infinitive Marker | Verb | Complete Form | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| at | spise | at spise | to eat / eating |
| at | læse | at læse | to read / reading |
| at | arbejde | at arbejde | to work / working |
| at | rejse | at rejse | to travel / traveling |
| at | svømme | at svømme | to swim / swimming |
Examples
Jeg elsker at læse bøger.
I love reading books / I love to read books.
at + infinitive after 'elsker'
Det er vigtigt at lære dansk.
It is important to learn Danish.
at + infinitive after adjective
Han begyndte at arbejde tidligt.
He started working early.
at + infinitive after 'begyndte'
Vi håber at se dig snart.
We hope to see you soon.
at + infinitive after 'håber'
2Verbs Requiring Infinitive with 'at'
Many Danish verbs require the infinitive with 'at' when followed by another verb. These include verbs expressing desire, beginning, continuing, trying, and preference. The structure is: main verb + at + infinitive. This pattern covers most situations where English uses either infinitive or gerund.
Common Verbs + at + Infinitive
| Danish Verb | English | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| begynde | to begin | begynde at + inf | begynde at synge |
| fortsætte | to continue | fortsætte med at + inf | fortsætte med at løbe |
| prøve | to try | prøve at + inf | prøve at forstå |
| ønske | to wish | ønske at + inf | ønske at rejse |
| planlægge | to plan | planlægge at + inf | planlægge at flytte |
Examples
Hun begyndte at græde.
She started crying / She started to cry.
begynde + at + infinitive
Vi fortsætter med at studere.
We continue studying.
fortsætte med at + infinitive
Jeg prøver at forstå grammatikken.
I am trying to understand the grammar.
prøve + at + infinitive
De planlægger at flytte til København.
They are planning to move to Copenhagen.
planlægge + at + infinitive
3Infinitive Without 'at' (Modal Verbs)
Modal verbs and certain other verbs take the bare infinitive without 'at'. The main modal verbs are: kan (can), skal (shall/must), vil (will/want), må (may/must), bør (should). Perception verbs like 'se' (see) and 'høre' (hear) also use bare infinitive.
Modal Verbs + Bare Infinitive
| Modal | Meaning | Example | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| kan | can/able | kan svømme | can swim |
| skal | shall/must | skal gå | must go |
| vil | will/want | vil have | want to have |
| må | may/must | må ikke ryge | must not smoke |
| bør | should | bør vente | should wait |
Examples
Jeg kan tale dansk.
I can speak Danish.
modal 'kan' + bare infinitive (no 'at')
Du skal komme i morgen.
You must come tomorrow.
modal 'skal' + bare infinitive
Jeg så ham løbe ned ad gaden.
I saw him running down the street.
perception verb 'så' + bare infinitive
Vi hørte hende synge.
We heard her singing.
perception verb 'hørte' + bare infinitive
4Verbal Nouns and Present Participle
Danish creates verbal nouns using -ning, -else, or -en endings. These function like English gerunds as subjects or objects. The present participle (-ende) is used adjectivally, not as a verbal noun. Choose the construction based on whether you need a noun or a verb-like element.
Verbal Noun vs Infinitive
| Infinitive | Verbal Noun | Present Participle | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| at læse | læsning | læsende | reading |
| at svømme | svømning | svømmende | swimming |
| at skrive | skrivning | skrivende | writing |
| at løbe | løbning/løb | løbende | running |
| at spise | spisning | spisende | eating |
Examples
Læsning er min hobby.
Reading is my hobby.
verbal noun as subject
Jeg nyder at læse.
I enjoy reading.
infinitive after 'nyder' (verb action)
Svømning er god motion.
Swimming is good exercise.
verbal noun as subject (general concept)
Den løbende mand stoppede pludseligt.
The running man stopped suddenly.
present participle as adjective