Supine of strong verbs (sagnbót)

The Supine of Strong Verbs

While weak verbs form the supine (sagnbót) using -að or -t, strong verbs typically take the ending -ið. For example, fara (to go) becomes farið.

They have gone on the sightseeing tour.
Þeir hafa farið í skoðunarferðina.

Short Verbs

If a strong verb ends in a vowel rather than -a, the supine usually takes instead of -ið. It often undergoes a vowel shift as well, so sjá (to see) becomes séð.

Have you seen the new brochure?
Hefur þú séð nýja bæklinginn?

Stem Vowel Shifts

Strong verbs frequently change their stem vowel in the supine. Here are some common shifts:

  • a to e: taka (to take) → tekið
  • i to u: finna (to find) → fundið
  • to o: fljúga (to fly) → flogið
I have taken the luggage into the hotel.
Ég hef tekið farangurinn inn á hótelið.
Have the boys found the luggage?
Hafa strákarnir fundið farangurinn?
They have never flown before.
Þau hafa aldrei flogið áður.

Other verbs, like koma (to come), follow the standard rule without a vowel shift, simply dropping the -a and adding -ið to become komið.

We have come from the carriage.
Við höfum komið úr vagninum.