Forming adverbs from adjectives
Most Swedish adverbs are identical to the ett-form of the adjective: just add -t.
snabb → snabbt
quick → quickly
Hon springer snabbt.
She runs quickly.
tydlig → tydligt
clear → clearly
Han talade tydligt.
He spoke clearly.
Placement in main clauses
In a main clause, adverbs go after the finite verb (or after the subject in a verb-first sentence). Negation (inte) follows the same rule.
Jag förstår inte.
I don't understand.
Hon sjunger alltid.
She always sings.
Vi äter ofta ute.
We often eat out.
Placement in subordinate clauses
In a subordinate clause (after att, om, eftersom, när, etc.), adverbs move to BEFORE the verb. This is the BIFF rule.
Jag vet att hon inte förstår.
I know that she doesn't understand.
…eftersom vi aldrig äter kött.
…because we never eat meat.
Main clause: verb THEN adverb. Subordinate clause: adverb THEN verb. Getting this right makes your Swedish sound much more natural.
Practice
Test yourself — 6 quick exercises on this topic.
1 of 6
How do you turn the adjective 'snabb' (quick) into an adverb?