sträcker

Sträcker is the present tense of the Swedish verb sträcka, which means to extend, stretch, or reach. It is used for physical actions, such as extending limbs, and for figurative extensions, such as extending time, distance, or influence. In everyday language, sträcker appears in many phrases with particles, for example sträcker ut handen (to hold out a hand) or sträcker sig efter något (to reach for something).

Grammatical notes: The infinitive is att sträcka. In the present tense the form is sträcker (jag sträcker, du sträcker, han/hon sträcker, vi sträcker, ni sträcker, de sträcker). The simple past is sträckte, and the supine and past participle are sträckt, with the perfect form using har sträckt (e.g., har sträckt). The verb belongs to the class of strong Swedish verbs with vowel changes in some forms. When used with a particle such as ut, it can be separated in main clauses, as in hon sträcker ut handen.

Uses and phrases: Sträcka is common in both literal and metaphorical contexts. Examples include sträcka på benen (to stretch one’s legs), sträcka sig över en tidsperiod (to extend over a period), and sträcka ut sina resurser (to extend one’s resources). The expression sträcker sig efter något emphasizes aiming for or reaching toward a goal.

See also: related terms include sträcka, sträckning (the act of stretching or extending), and phrases with ut- or ihop-, which modify the sense of the verb.