Question 1

Why is it gefa loforð (give a promise) and not gera loforð (make a promise)?

Accepted Answer

Because gefa loforð is the idiomatic collocation in Icelandic for “to make a promise.” Saying gera loforð sounds wrong. Alternatives include using a verb of promising: lofa (því að …) or heita (því að …).

Question 2

What does stóð við það mean literally and idiomatically?

Accepted Answer

Literally, “he stood by it.” Idiomatically, it means “he kept it (the promise).” The pattern is standa við e-ð = “to keep/abide by something,” especially promises or agreements.

Question 3

Why is the pronoun það used here, and why in that form?

Accepted Answer

It refers back to loforð, which is neuter, so the neuter pronoun það is used. The preposition við governs the accusative, and það is the accusative form (neuter nominative = accusative). You could also repeat the noun: stóð við loforðið.

Question 4

Why is it í samtalinu with the ending -inu?

Accepted Answer

Í takes the dative for location (in/at), so samtal appears in the dative singular: samtali. The definite suffix -inu makes it “in the conversation,” i.e., a specific one known from context. Without definiteness it would be í samtali (“in a conversation”).

Question 5

What case is loforð here, and does it change form?

Accepted Answer

It’s the direct object of gaf, so accusative singular. For neuter nouns like loforð, nominative and accusative singular look the same: loforð. Other key forms: dative loforði, genitive loforðs; definite singular: loforðið (nom/acc), loforðinu (dat), loforðsins (gen).

Question 6

Can I say Hann stóð við loforðið instead of using það?

Accepted Answer

Yes, both are natural. … við það avoids repetition; … við loforðið explicitly repeats and makes it definite (“that particular promise”).

Question 7

Is the word order fixed, or can I move í samtalinu?

Accepted Answer

Icelandic main clauses are verb-second. You can front the prepositional phrase: Í samtalinu gaf hann loforð og stóð við það. Both orders are correct; moving it changes emphasis, not grammar.

Question 8

Could I use other verbs for “promise” or “keep a promise”?

Accepted Answer

Yes. To promise: lofa (því að …) or heita (því að …), e.g., Hann lofaði því að koma / Hann hét því að koma. To keep a promise: standa við loforð or efna loforð. Halda loforð(i) is also used, but standa við is the safest idiom.

Question 9

Why is there no article on loforð but there is on samtalinu?

Accepted Answer

Icelandic has no indefinite article, so bare loforð means “a promise.” Samtalinu bears the definite suffix -inu, so it’s “the conversation.” To say “the promise,” you’d use loforðið.

Question 10

How do I negate the second clause naturally?

Accepted Answer

Place ekki after the verb: … og stóð ekki við það. With the noun repeated: … og stóð ekki við loforðið.

Question 11

Any quick pronunciation tips for tricky bits?

Accepted Answer

- Stress the first syllable of each word.
- gaf ≈ “gahv.”
- ó in stóð is a long “oh.”
- ð (in við, það, stóð) is the soft “th” in “this,” often very light in fast speech.

Question 12

Is loforð plural here? The form looks the same.

Accepted Answer

Here it’s singular. Neuter nouns often have the same form for nominative/accusative singular and plural. If plural, you’d usually mark it: tvö/mörg loforð.

Question 13

Do I need a comma before og here?

Accepted Answer

No. Icelandic typically doesn’t use a comma before og when linking two clauses with the same subject, unless there’s a stronger break or inserted material.

Hann gaf loforð í samtalinu og stóð við það.

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