Sætninger

Sætninger is the Danish term for sentences. In linguistics, a sentence is a unit of language that expresses a complete thought and can stand alone in discourse. Sentences typically combine a subject and a predicate and are organized around a finite verb, though exact word order and punctuation vary between languages.

Sentence types and structures vary. A simple sentence consists of a single independent clause; a compound sentence links two or more independent clauses with coordinating conjunctions; a complex sentence contains one or more subordinate clauses. In Danish and many Germanic languages the common word order in the main clause is subject–verb–object, with variation in questions and subordinate clauses.

Types of sentences include declarative (statements), interrogative (questions), imperative (commands), and exclamative (emphasis). Questions can be formed by inversion, question words, or other mechanisms depending on the language. Imperatives typically omit an explicit subject and address the listener directly.

Punctuation and function are central to sentence use. Sentences end with punctuation marks such as a period, a question mark, or an exclamation point. Capitalization is used at the start of a sentence. Punctuation helps mark clause boundaries, indicate direct speech, and clarify meaning.

In practice, sætninger are the primary means of organizing and conveying information in both written and spoken Danish, as well as in other languages. The study of sentence structure covers syntax, grammar, and usage across different genres and registers.