Ef ég sef lengur, þá fer höfuðverkurinn.

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Breakdown of Ef ég sef lengur, þá fer höfuðverkurinn.

• fara: to go
• sofa: to sleep
• ef: if

Questions & Answers about Ef ég sef lengur, þá fer höfuðverkurinn.

Is the word bolded as þá required after an ef-clause?

No. þá is optional here. It adds a natural “then”/result feel but doesn’t change the meaning.

• With it: Ef ég sef lengur, þá fer höfuðverkurinn.
• Without it: Ef ég sef lengur, fer höfuðverkurinn. In both versions, the finite verb in the main clause must still come early (see the verb‑second point below).

Why does the verb come before the subject in the second clause (þá fer höfuðverkurinn)?

Icelandic main clauses are verb‑second (V2). Something occupies first position (here þá), so the finite verb (fer) must be second, and the subject (höfuðverkurinn) follows:

• Ef ég sef lengur, þá fer höfuðverkurinn. If you drop þá, the first slot of the main clause is effectively taken by the preceding ef‑clause, so the verb still comes right away:
• Ef ég sef lengur, fer höfuðverkurinn.

Do I need the comma after the ef‑clause?

It’s standard and safest to include it: Ef ég sef lengur, … Modern “light‑comma” styles sometimes omit it, but most careful writing keeps it. You’ll see both in real life.

Why is the present tense used for a future result? Could I say mun?