Questions & Answers about Við erum með allar kúlurnar.
Why does this sentence use erum með to mean 'have' instead of höfum?
In Icelandic, the phrase vera með (literally 'to be with') is the standard way to talk about having or carrying physical objects. The verb hafa is usually used for abstract concepts like time or ideas, or for more permanent ownership.
The preposition með can trigger the dative or accusative case. Why is it accusative here?
When með means 'holding', 'carrying', or 'having on you' (like in the phrase vera með), it always takes the accusative case. It usually takes the dative case when it means doing something 'together with' someone or using something as a tool.
Why is the word for 'all' spelled allar in this sentence?
The word allur changes to match the gender, number, and case of the noun it describes. Because kúlurnar is a feminine plural noun in the accusative case, allur becomes allar.
How does the definite article attach to form kúlurnar?
The base word is kúla (a sphere or ball), and its plural is kúlur. To say 'the spheres' in the accusative case, you add the feminine plural definite suffix -nar directly to the end, giving you kúlurnar.