Áður en hún fer út setur hún peysu á sig.

Before she goes out she puts on a sweater.

Breakdown of Áður en hún fer út setur hún peysu á sig.

• hún: she
• fara: to go
• áður en: before
• út: out

Questions & Answers about Áður en hún fer út setur hún peysu á sig.

Why is the word order different in the two parts: “hún fer út” but “setur hún peysu á sig”?

This is because Icelandic treats main clauses and subordinate clauses differently, and it follows a verb‑second (V2) rule in main clauses.

• Áður en hún fer út = subordinate clause (introduced by áður en “before”)

  • Normal order: subject – verb – rest
  • So: hún fer út = she goes out

• setur hún peysu á sig = main clause

  • Icelandic main clauses are typically V2: the finite verb is in second position.
  • If the sentence starts with something that is not the subject (here: the whole time clause Áður en hún fer út), the subject moves after the verb:
    • Neutral main clause: Hún setur peysu á sig.
    • With the time clause in front: Áður en hún fer út setur hún peysu á sig.

So:

• Subordinate clause: áður en + subject + verb + …
• Main clause after a fronted element: [something] + verb + subject + …

Why is it fer and not fara or að fara?