gangsetningar

Gangsetningar is a term used in some Scandinavian linguistic traditions to refer to sentences or clauses that express time, order, or recurrence of events. In broad usage, gangsetningar function as temporal or sequential adjuncts that set the context for the main clause. They are typically formed with subordinate clauses or adverbial phrases that anchor an action in time or sequence.

In Norwegian grammar, gangsetningar are often realized as subordinate clauses introduced by temporal conjunctions or adverbs such as når (when), mens (while), etter at (after), før (before). They may occur before or after the main clause, and their verb forms reflect the timing relative to the main clause. Gangsetningar help organize narrative sequence and signal how events relate to each other in time.

Syntax and placement can vary by language and style. A gangsetning may precede the main clause for foregrounding the temporal frame, or follow it to tighten the linkage between events. In many cases, these clauses maintain a finite verb in the subordinate clause, while the main clause carries the primary action. Punctuation, such as a comma, often accompanies a fronted temporal clause.

Examples:

- Når jeg kommer hjem, spiser jeg middag. (When I come home, I eat dinner.)

- Jeg spiser middag når jeg kommer hjem. (I eat dinner when I come home.)

- Etter at jeg hadde spist, gikk jeg ut. (After I had eaten, I went out.)

- Mens jeg leser, hører jeg musikk. (While I read, I listen to music.)

The term appears in some grammars and may overlap with tidssetningar (temporal clauses). Some traditions prefer more specific labels for time-related clauses, but gangsetningar remains a recognized way to discuss the temporal organization of sentences.