When you express a strong desire, demand, or expectation for someone else to do something, Icelandic uses the subjunctive mood. This is done by using a main verb expressing volition (will), followed by an að clause where the verb is in the subjunctive.
Present Subjunctive for Present Desires
If your main verb is in the present tense—such as vilja (to want)—the verb in the að clause must be in the present subjunctive.
| I want him to be happy. | Ég vil að hann verði glaður. |
| I do not want you to force him. | Ég vil ekki að þú þvingir hann. |
Stronger Demands and Expectations
When you need to set firm rules or expectations, you will use stronger verbs. Some of these verbs connect directly to að, while others require the genitive pronoun þess before the clause (literally translating as "demand of it that...").
- heimta (to demand, insist) + að
- krefjast (to demand) + þess að
- ætlast til (to expect, require of someone) + þess að
| The boss demands that punctuality get better. | Stjórinn heimtar að stundvísin verði betri. |
| He demands that the working methods be the best of all. | Hann krefst þess að vinnubrögðin séu allra best. |
| I expect neatness to be good everywhere. | Ég ætlast til þess að snyrtimennskan sé góð alls staðar. |
Notice how the verbs in the subordinate clauses (verði, séu, sé) are all in the present subjunctive, triggered by the present tense demands of the main clauses.
Past Subjunctive for Past Demands
The sequence of tenses matters in Icelandic. If the main verb expressing the wish or demand is in the past tense (such as wanted, wished, or demanded), the verb in the following að clause must shift to the past subjunctive.
| The teacher wished that punctuality was better. | Kennarinn óskaði þess að stundvísin væri betri. |
| We did not want the boss to force us. | Við vildum ekki að stjórinn þvingaði okkur. |