Questions & Answers about Trúir þú þeim báðum?
Why are we using the form báðum here instead of báðir?
The word for "both" (báðir) needs to match the case of the pronoun it modifies (þeim). The verb að trúa (to believe) requires its object to be in the dative case. Since þeim is dative, báðum must also be in the dative case.
If I am talking about two women, would báðum change to a feminine form?
No, it stays exactly the same! While the nominative and accusative forms change depending on gender (báðir for men, báðar for women, bæði for neuter/mixed), the dative form is always báðum and the genitive form is always beggja, regardless of gender.
Why is the object þeim in the dative case to begin with?
The verb að trúa (to believe) is a verb that governs the dative case when you are talking about believing a person or a fact. This is an important rule to remember, which is why we use the dative þeim instead of the accusative þá or þær.
Is the word order þeim báðum fixed, or could I say báðum þeim?
In Icelandic, the word báðir almost always comes immediately after the pronoun it modifies. It literally translates to "them both," which is the most natural word order in Icelandic, rather than "both of them" like we often say in English.
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