Question 1

Why is upp placed after það instead of right after the verb setja?

Accepted Answer

This is the main rule for phrasal verbs with pronoun objects. The phrasal verb here is setja upp (to set up). When the object is a pronoun like það (it), it must go between the verb and the particle (setja það upp). If the object were a full noun, the particle would usually stay next to the verb, like setja upp tjaldið (set up the tent).

Question 2

Why is the word en used in áður en? Doesn't en mean "but"?

Accepted Answer

En usually means "but", but it also means "than" in comparisons. Áður means "earlier" or "before", so áður en literally means "earlier than". In Icelandic, you must use the full phrase áður en when "before" introduces a new clause with a subject and verb (like hann opnar here).

Question 3

Why does the first half use the future tense (mun setja) but the second half uses the present tense (opnar)?

Accepted Answer

Just like in English! We say "He will set it up before he opens the toolbox." After time-related conjunctions like áður en (before) or þegar (when), Icelandic usually uses the present tense to talk about the future, even if the main clause uses a future marker like mun.

Question 4

How does the word verkfærakassann break down?

Accepted Answer

It is a compound noun made of verkfæri (tool) and kassi (box). When combining them, verkfæri takes a connecting -a, becoming verkfærakassi (toolbox). The -nn at the end is the attached definite article ("the") in the accusative case, because it is the object of the verb opnar.

Hann mun setja það upp áður en hann opnar verkfærakassann.

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