StudyNorwegian•Ko-fiGrammar / Your Norwegian journey
A2Everyday language

Time: i, om and for … siden

Distinguish duration, in and ago in time expressions.

Bokmål · nb-NO
GRAMMATIKK · BOKMÅL

Time: i, om and for … siden

Distinguish duration from a future or past point: i to timer for two hours, om to timer in two hours, for to timer siden two hours ago. Day and season expressions vary with context.

The rule, step by step

  1. Use i for a duration: Vi ventet i en time. It answers how long the wait lasted.
  2. Om with an interval marks a future event: om en time. For … siden marks a past point.
  3. Also learn på mandag for Monday, om sommeren for a recurring seasonal habit, and i sommer for a specific summer determined by context.

Sentence pattern

i + duration · om + future interval · for + past interval + siden

Compare forms and usage
BokmålMeaning or use
i to timerfor two hours
om to timerin two hours
for to timer sidentwo hours ago
om sommerenin summer habitually

Everyday examples

Example 1

Vi har ventet i en time.

We have waited for an hour.

Example 2

Bussen kommer om ti minutter.

The bus comes in ten minutes.

Example 3

Hun kom for to dager siden.

She came two days ago.

Example 4

Kurset begynner om en uke.

The course begins in a week.

A common error or a difference in meaning

Form to review

Han kom om to dager siden.

Correct form for the intended meaning

Han kom for to dager siden.

Kom is past. Two days ago requires for … siden, not om.

Put the rule into practice

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VELG

Choose the form that fits the rule and meaning explained in this lesson.

FYLL INN

Complete the gap using the appropriate form of the given word.

Given word: om

Bussen kommer _____ ti minutter.

SETT I REKKEFØLGE

Rebuild the example, starting with “Vi”: We have waited for an hour.

…

Continue with the same subject

Imperatives and polite requests A1Prepositions of place and direction A1

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