An idiomatic prepositional phrase or expression is:

A: When a verb followed by a preposition forms a set and unchangeable phrase or expression: å ha råd til, å be om.

B: When a preposition and a nown or other word constellations form a set phrase or expresion: i håp om, i full fart, å være ivrig etter.

A prepositional phrase can be long or short or followed by a sentence. Hun ba meg om penger - she asked me for money. Hun er alltid ivrig etter å hjelpe folk som ikke har det så bra - she is always keen to help people who are not so well off.

The Norwegian language has a mulititude of such expressions. Their meaning is not always apparent or obvious, which is why it is necessary to learn them. It is not obvious that om et år means in a year. Or that på den tiden means at that time. Many expressions are even less transparent like for example: å stikke av which does not mean to stick off but to run off / do a runner. Or, å stryke på dør does not mean means to stroke on the door, but rather to leave in a hurry.

Below you will find lists of some of the most frequently used preopsitional phrases.

Browser not supported