Umsóknin fer líklega í gegn.

Umsóknin = umsókn + the definite ending -in.

So:

• umsókn = application
• umsóknin = the application

Icelandic usually puts the on the end of the noun instead of using a separate word the way English does.

In this sentence, umsóknin is the subject, so it is in the nominative singular. The noun umsókn is feminine.

Fer is the 3rd person singular present tense of fara, which usually means to go.

So literally:

• fer = goes

But here you should not translate it too literally. In the expression fara í gegn, it means something more like:

• go through
• pass
• get approved

Because umsóknin is singular, the verb is singular too: fer, not a plural form.

Literally, í gegn can mean through.

But in this sentence, fer í gegn is an idiomatic expression. With things like proposals, laws, plans, or applications, it often means:

• to go through
• to pass
• to be approved
• to be accepted

So even though the words are literally something like go through, the real meaning is about a successful result in a process.

Líklega means probably.

In a normal Icelandic main clause, the finite verb usually comes in the second position. That is why you get:

• Umsóknin — first
• fer — second
• líklega — after the verb

So the word order is very natural.

A very literal breakdown is:

• Umsóknin = the application
• fer = goes
• líklega = probably
• í gegn = through

English usually puts probably before the main verb more often, but Icelandic often places this kind of adverb after the finite verb.

It is still the same expression: fara í gegn.

In Icelandic, parts of a verb phrase do not always have to stay right next to each other. An adverb like líklega can sit in the middle:

• fer líklega í gegn

So yes, you should learn fara í gegn as a unit of meaning, but do not expect the parts to always appear side by side in an actual sentence.

Good question. Icelandic often uses the present tense where English might prefer:

• a future expression: will probably go through
• or a passive expression: will probably be approved

So Umsóknin fer líklega í gegn is present tense in form, but in context it can easily refer to something expected in the near future.

Also, English often prefers be approved for this kind of idea, while Icelandic naturally uses the active expression fara í gegn.

Sometimes yes, but you must respect the usual Icelandic verb-second pattern in main clauses.

These are natural:

• Umsóknin fer líklega í gegn.
• Líklega fer umsóknin í gegn.

In both sentences, the finite verb fer is in the second position.

A learner mistake would be something like:

• Umsóknin líklega fer í gegn.

That sounds wrong or at least very unnatural in ordinary usage, because fer has been pushed out of the normal second-position slot.

Yes, definitely.

It is a very common Icelandic expression, and its meaning is often broader than the literal words suggest. Depending on context, it can mean things like:

• a law passes
• a proposal gets approved
• an application goes through
• a plan works
• someone gets through something difficult

So it is better to learn fara í gegn as a chunk, not just as fara + í + gegn separately.

You can add ekki for negation:

• Umsóknin fer líklega ekki í gegn.
• The application probably won’t go through.

To make it a yes/no question, put the verb first:

• Fer umsóknin líklega í gegn?
• Will / Does the application probably go through?

That is a useful way to see the structure more clearly:

• statement: Umsóknin fer líklega í gegn.
• question: Fer umsóknin líklega í gegn?