When expressing contrasting opinions in Icelandic, you will frequently use the indefinite pronouns sumur (some) and annar (other). Many debate-related verbs—like svara (to answer), mótmæla (to object to), and hafna (to reject)—take their objects in the dative case. Prepositions like með (with) and adjectives like sammála (in agreement with) also require the dative.
For plural nouns and groups of people, use these forms:
| English | Nominative | Dative |
|---|---|---|
| Some | sumir | sumum |
| Other(s) | aðrir | öðrum |
Notice how both end in -um in the dative plural.
Sumum (Some)
Use sumum when a dative verb or preposition affects "some" things or people.
| The moderator answers some questions in the discussion. | Fundarstjórinn svarar sumum spurningum í umræðunni. |
| I object to some viewpoints. | Ég mótmæli sumum sjónarmiðum. |
Öðrum (Other / Others)
Similarly, use öðrum for "other" items or "others" in general.
| We reject other arguments. | Við höfnum öðrum rökum. |
| He sits on the panel with other guests. | Hann situr í pallborðinu með öðrum gestum. |
Contrasting Viewpoints
You will often see sumum and öðrum paired to contrast groups. They can modify nouns or stand alone as independent pronouns (meaning "some people" and "other people"). When standing alone, they can even act as the dative subject for verbs like finnast (to find/think).
| I agree with some, but not others. | Ég er sammála sumum, en ekki öðrum. |
| Others find the debate boring, but some find it exciting. | Öðrum finnst rökræðan leiðinleg en sumum finnst hún spennandi. |
