Setning

Setning is a term used in Norwegian, Icelandic, and Danish grammars (in Danish as sætning) to denote a sentence—the basic unit of discourse that expresses a complete thought. In English-language linguistics, the corresponding term is sentence. A setning typically has a finite verb and a subject, though the exact syntax depends on the language. Sentences are categorized by function: declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamative.

Structure: A simple setning contains a single independent clause; a compound setning links two or more independent clauses; a complex setning includes one main clause and one or more dependent clauses; a compound-complex setning combines both. Word order varies by language; for example, many Nordic languages follow a verb-second pattern in main clauses and place verbs at the end in subordinate clauses, while English generally uses a subject–verb–object order.

End and punctuation: A setning is typically ended with a period, question mark, or exclamation point, and is distinguished from a clause by its ability to stand alone as a complete thought in context.

Usage and function: In writing, setningar organize thoughts, enable argumentation, narration, or description, and serve as the primary units for syntax and punctuation. The concept is central in grammar, syntax, and language teaching, and it is a common focus in corpus studies and descriptive grammars.