hovedsætningen

Hovedsætningen, literally “the main sentence,” is a term used in Danish grammar to refer to the main clause of a sentence. It is the independent clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence and expresses the central claim, action, or state of affairs. In simple sentences, the single hoofdssætning is the entire sentence.

In more complex structures, a sentence may contain one or more hovedsætninger as well as subordinate clauses (underordnede sætninger). Subordinate clauses cannot stand alone and function as dependent parts of the main clause, providing information such as time, reason, condition, or manner. Subordinate clauses are often introduced by conjunctions like fordi (because), hvis (if), når (when), or mens (while).

Hovedsætningen versus the whole sentence: In Danish, an entire sentence may consist of a single hovedsætning or of multiple hovedsætninger linked together to form a compound sentence. Such coordination uses conjunctions like og (and), men (but), or eller (or).

Word order and syntax: In many Danish main clauses, the finite verb typically occupies the second position (V2 word order), after the subject or another initial element. Subordinate clauses, by contrast, frequently place the verb later in the clause, often at the end.

Examples:

- Jeg læser en bog. (I am reading a book.) — a simple hovedsætningen.

- Jeg læser en bog, og jeg skriver noter. — a compound sentence with two hovedsætninger.

- Jeg læser en bog, fordi jeg vil lære noget. — a main clause with a subordinate clause.

See also: grammar, subordinate clause, sentence structure.