Best app to learn Swedish grammar in 2026: explanations, videos and practice
Short answer
Our pick is SFI Prov. The grammar is divided into topics for each SFI level, with explanations in Swedish, English, Arabic, Persian and Somali, short videos for most topics in courses C, D and Intermediate, and exercises that explain every answer. The app is free. We make it ourselves.
Grammar is what turns your words into sentences other people understand. In the SFI test it shows most when you write and speak. Here we show five rules you need, what a good grammar app does and how the apps compare. We make one of the apps ourselves, SFI Prov, so we say that up front.
Our pick is SFI Prov: the grammar follows the SFI levels, is explained in your language, is shown in short videos and is practised with exercises that explain every answer. If you want to compare the whole apps and not just the grammar, read our comparison of apps to learn Swedish.
What are the most important Swedish grammar rules?
- The verb comes second. In a main clause the verb is in second place: I dag åker jag till jobbet (Today I go to work), not I dag jag åker till jobbet.
- Inte before the verb in a subordinate clause. Jag kommer inte i dag (I am not coming today), but Jag stannar hemma eftersom jag inte mår bra (I am staying at home because I do not feel well).
- En or ett, and the end of the word. En bil (a car) becomes bilen (the car), and ett hus (a house) becomes huset (the house).
- The adjective follows the noun. En stor bil (a big car), ett stort hus (a big house) and stora bilar (big cars).
- The past tense of verbs. Jag pratar (I talk) becomes pratade, jag köper (I buy) becomes köpte, jag bor (I live) becomes bodde, and strong verbs change their vowel: jag skriver (I write) becomes skrev.
What makes a grammar app good?
- It explains why, not just what is correct.
- It explains in a language you understand.
- It shows examples from everyday life.
- It lets you practise and shows why an answer is wrong.
- It follows an order, so that you learn the simple things before the hard ones.
Quick overview
| App | Explains the grammar | Free |
|---|---|---|
| SFI Prov | Yes, with videos and in your language | Yes |
| Babbel | Yes, briefly and in English | No, a subscription |
| Duolingo | A little, mostly through exercises | Yes, with ads |
| ChatGPT and Gemini | Yes, if you ask | A free version with limits |
| SAOL and Lexin | How words are inflected | Yes |
The apps
SFI Prov (our app and our pick)
SFI Prov is made by SverigeFokus, which also publishes this blog. The app takes you from zero to the SFI test, and its grammar has over 50 topics, from the beginner course to courses C, D and Intermediate.
How the grammar works in the app:
- One topic at a time. Every topic has a short explanation with rules and examples, gathered on one page.
- In your language. The rules come in Swedish, English, Arabic, Persian and Somali.
- Short videos. Most topics in courses C, D and Intermediate have a short video that explains the rule.
- Exercises that explain. After every answer you see why it is right or wrong, also in your language.
- Build sentences. Here you practise word order by putting the words in the right order.
- Report a mistake. If you find a mistake in an exercise, you can report it directly in the app.
What does it cost? Nothing. The app is free, with no ads and no subscription. The videos need a free account and an internet connection. Download: App Store and Google Play.
Babbel
Babbel explains grammar in short sections inside its lessons, and its Swedish course explains in English.
Good for: people who read English and want structure. Less good for: people who do not read English, and the tasks of the SFI test. Price: a subscription. You can try a lesson for free first.
Duolingo
Duolingo teaches grammar mostly by having you do many short exercises, and explains less.
Good for: drilling patterns a little every day. Less good for: understanding why the grammar works the way it does. Price: free with ads, and a paid version without ads.
ChatGPT and Gemini
They can explain almost any rule and give new examples, but they can be wrong. Read more in our guide to the best AI apps to learn Swedish.
Good for: follow-up questions, such as why a particular sentence is wrong. Less good for: knowing which rule to learn next. Price: free versions with limits, and paid tiers.
SAOL and Lexin
These are dictionaries, not courses, but they show how a word is inflected, for example the plural of a noun or the past tense of a verb.
- SAOL is the Swedish Academy’s word list, free as an app and at svenska.se.
- Lexin is a free dictionary between Swedish and Arabic, Persian, Somali and other languages.
Price: free.
How do you learn Swedish grammar?
- Understand the rule. Read the explanation or watch a video, ideally in your language.
- Say the examples aloud. Then you hear how the rule sounds.
- Practise. Do exercises and read the explanation when you answer wrongly.
- Use the rule. Write five sentences of your own about your life with the rule.
- Review. Do the exercises again after a few days.
Summary
- Best app for Swedish grammar: SFI Prov, with topics for every SFI level, explanations in five languages, short videos and exercises that explain every answer. Free.
- For short explanations in English: Babbel.
- For follow-up questions: ChatGPT or Gemini, but check the answers.
- For seeing how a word is inflected: SAOL and Lexin.
Sources
- Babbel
- Duolingo
- University of Gothenburg: SAOL, the Swedish Academy’s word list
- The Swedish Academy’s dictionaries: svenska.se
- Lexin: dictionaries for immigrants
SFI Prov is independent practice material from SverigeFokus and is not affiliated with Skolverket, your municipality or any other authority.
The app for SFI and Swedish
Frequently asked questions
What is the best app for Swedish grammar?
Our pick is SFI Prov. The grammar is divided into topics for each SFI level, with explanations in Swedish, English, Arabic, Persian and Somali, short videos for most topics in courses C, D and Intermediate, and exercises that explain every answer. The app is free. We make it ourselves.
How do you learn Swedish grammar?
Take one rule at a time. Read or watch the explanation, say the examples aloud, do exercises, and then write your own sentences with the rule. Review after a few days, and read more Swedish so that you see the rule in real texts.
What is hardest in Swedish grammar?
Many learners find word order the hardest: the verb must come second in a main clause, and inte (not) must come before the verb in a subordinate clause. En or ett, the forms of adjectives and the past tense of verbs are also hard at first.
Is there a free app for Swedish grammar?
Yes. SFI Prov is free, with no ads and no subscription. To look up how a word is inflected there is also the Swedish Academy's free app SAOL, and the Lexin dictionary.
Is there an app that explains Swedish grammar in Arabic?
Yes. In SFI Prov the rules and the explanations for the exercises come in Arabic, Persian, Somali and English. Most of the big language apps explain grammar in English.
Can ChatGPT explain Swedish grammar?
Yes, often well, but it can be wrong. Ask for examples and check the rule in another source, for example in a grammar app or with your teacher.