Expressing Conditions with "ef"
To express simple, real conditions, use the conjunction ef (if).
When the ef clause comes in the second half of the sentence, the word order in both halves remains standard (Subject-Verb).
| We spend the night if you bring the tent. | Við gistum ef þið komið með tjaldið. |
| We sleep outside if the weather forecast is good. | Við sofum úti ef veðurspáin er góð. |
The V2 Rule with "ef"
You can also start your sentence with the condition, but you must remember the Icelandic V2 (verb-second) rule.
When the ef clause occupies the first position in the sentence, the main clause that follows must begin immediately with its verb. Notice how the word order flips to Verb-Subject (göngum við, förum við) right after the comma.
| If the weather forecast is good, we walk up the mountain. | Ef veðurspáin er góð, göngum við á fjallið. |
| If it rains a lot, we are not going to the campsite. | Ef það rignir mikið, förum við ekki á tjaldstæðið. |
| If we go to the campsite, we need the packed lunch. | Ef við förum á tjaldstæðið, þurfum við nestið. |
Planning for the Weather
Conditional sentences are especially useful for discussing outdoor plans. Whether you stay at a campsite (tjaldstæðið) or head home usually depends on if your gear is wet (blautur) or dry (þurr).
| If the tent is wet, we sleep inside. | Ef tjaldið er blautt, sofum við inni. |
| I want to spend the night if the sleeping bag is dry. | Mig langar að gista ef svefnpokinn er þurr. |
| Is the sleeping bag warm if the weather is cold? | Er svefnpokinn hlýr ef veðrið er kalt? |
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