B1 Swedish GrammarDouble Infinitive Construction
Master Swedish double infinitive constructions used in perfect tenses with modal verbs. Learn when the modal keeps its infinitive form instead of becoming a supine, and understand the word order in these complex verb chains.
1Perfect Tense with Modal Verbs
In Swedish, when modal verbs (kunna, vilja, skola, måste, böra) are used in perfect tense with another verb, the modal uses a special form. 'Kunna' becomes 'kunnat', 'vilja' becomes 'velat'. The main verb stays as infinitive, creating a double infinitive at the end.
Modal Verbs in Perfect
| Modal | Perfect Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| kunna (can) | har kunnat | har kunnat göra |
| vilja (want) | har velat | har velat resa |
| skola (shall) | har skolat | har skolat arbeta |
| böra (should) | har bort | har bort vänta |
Examples
Jag har inte kunnat komma.
I have not been able to come.
kunnat + infinitive
Hon har velat hjälpa oss.
She has wanted to help us.
velat + infinitive
Vi har måst arbeta hela dagen.
We have had to work all day.
måst in perfect
De har bort vänta längre.
They should have waited longer.
bort = should have
2Word Order with Double Infinitive
In main clauses, 'har/hade' takes V2 position (second position) and the double infinitive goes at the end. In subordinate clauses, 'inte' and adverbs come before 'har', and the double infinitive remains at the end. Swedish follows strict V2 word order.
Word Order Patterns
| Clause Type | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Main | S + har + ... + modal + inf | Jag har kunnat simma |
| Negation | S + har + inte + modal + inf | Jag har inte kunnat |
| Subordinate | att S + inte + har + modal + inf | att jag inte har kunnat |
| Question | Har + S + modal + inf? | Har du kunnat göra det? |
Examples
Jag har alltid velat lära mig svenska.
I have always wanted to learn Swedish.
adverb before double infinitive
Hon säger att hon har måst gå.
She says that she has had to leave.
subordinate clause
Har du kunnat hitta vägen?
Have you been able to find the way?
question form
Jag vet att han inte har velat komma.
I know that he has not wanted to come.
negation in subordinate
3Past Perfect with Modals
The past perfect (pluperfect) uses 'hade' instead of 'har'. The same pattern applies: 'hade kunnat göra'. Use this to express abilities or necessities that existed before another past event, especially in conditional sentences and storytelling.
Pluperfect Modal Forms
| Modal | Pluperfect | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| kunna | hade kunnat | had been able to |
| vilja | hade velat | had wanted to |
| skola | hade skolat | had been supposed to |
| böra | hade bort | should have |
Examples
Jag hade kunnat hjälpa om du hade frågat.
I could have helped if you had asked.
conditional meaning
Hon hade velat stanna, men hon var tvungen att gå.
She had wanted to stay, but she had to leave.
past wish vs necessity
Vi hade skolat vara där klockan tio.
We had been supposed to be there at ten.
past obligation
De hade aldrig kunnat föreställa sig det.
They had never been able to imagine it.
aldrig + pluperfect
4Common Expressions and Usage
Double infinitive constructions are very common in Swedish, especially for expressing past abilities, wishes, and obligations. They appear frequently in both spoken and written Swedish. Pay attention to these patterns when reading newspapers or listening to native speakers.
Common Double Infinitive Phrases
| Swedish | English | Context |
|---|---|---|
| har kunnat se | have been able to see | past ability |
| har velat ha | have wanted to have | past desire |
| har måst göra | have had to do | past necessity |
| har bort säga | should have said | past advice |
Examples
Jag har aldrig kunnat tycka om kaffe.
I have never been able to like coffee.
lifelong inability
Han har hela tiden velat berätta för dig.
He has wanted to tell you all along.
ongoing past desire
Vi har tyvärr inte kunnat hitta lösningen.
Unfortunately, we have not been able to find the solution.
polite negative
Du hade bort ringa till henne.
You should have called her.
giving past advice