Breakdown of Lyktin inni er svo yfirþyrmandi að ég kafna.
vera
to be
ég
I
inni
inside
að
that (conjunction)
lyktin
the smell
svo
so (to such a degree)
yfirþyrmandi
overwhelming
kafna
to suffocate
Questions & Answers about Lyktin inni er svo yfirþyrmandi að ég kafna.
How does the svo ... að structure work in this sentence?
This sentence demonstrates a result clause. The word svo (so) is placed directly before the adjective yfirþyrmandi (overwhelming). This is followed by að (that) and a complete sentence, ég kafna (I suffocate), which explains the direct result of the smell.
Why is kafna in the regular indicative mood, rather than the subjunctive? Doesn't að often trigger the subjunctive?
While að triggers the subjunctive in clauses expressing purpose (like til þess að meaning 'in order to') or doubt, result clauses with svo ... að state a factual, actual outcome. Because the speaker is stating their suffocation as a real result, the verb kafna stays in the normal indicative mood.
Does the adjective yfirþyrmandi need to change its ending to match the feminine noun lyktin?
No, it doesn't change at all! yfirþyrmandi is a present participle (equivalent to English words ending in '-ing'). In Icelandic, present participles end in -andi and are indeclinable when used as adjectives. This means it stays exactly the same regardless of the noun's gender, number, or case.
Could I say Lyktin inn instead of Lyktin inni?
No, you need to use inni here because it describes a stationary location (the smell is currently existing inside). You would only use inn when there is active movement directed towards the inside, such as walking into a house.
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