Questions & Answers about Hann bíður við hurðina.
Which case is used on the word hurðina, and why?
It’s accusative singular definite. The preposition við always governs the accusative case, and hurð (door) is a feminine noun. With the definite article, accusative singular becomes hurðina (nom. sg. definite would be hurðin).
Why is it bíður and not something like bíð or bíðar?
It’s the 3rd person singular present of the strong verb bíða (to wait). Present tense:
- ég bíð
- þú bíður
- hann/hún/það bíður
- við bíðum
- þið bíðið
- þeir/þær/þau bíða
So with subject Hann, the form is bíður.
Is there a difference between bíður and býður? They look almost the same.
Yes—different verbs and meanings:
- bíða → bíður = to wait
- bjóða → býður = to offer/invite Watch the vowels: í (in bíður) vs ý (in býður).
Can I say the progressive form, like “He is waiting at the door”?