Questions & Answers about Ég tilkynni þér strax ef ég kem seint.
Why is it þér and not þú/þig?
Because tilkynna (to notify/announce) typically takes:
- a direct object in the accusative (what you notify/announce), and
- an indirect object in the dative (the person you notify).
So þér is the dative singular of þú and means to you.
(If you added what you’re notifying, it might look like: Ég tilkynni þér það strax… = I’ll tell/notify you that right away…)
What’s going on with the verb tilkynni—what form is it?
Tilkynni is the 1st person singular present tense of tilkynna:
- ég tilkynni = I notify / I announce
In Icelandic, the simple present often covers what English might express with will (especially for planned/regular actions), so it can naturally mean I’ll notify in context.
Why does Icelandic use present tense here if English often uses will?