Breakdown of Þau nefndu frambjóðandann varamann.
þau
they (n)
nefna
to name
frambjóðandinn
the candidate
varamaðurinn
the deputy
Questions & Answers about Þau nefndu frambjóðandann varamann.
Why are both frambjóðandann and varamann in the accusative case?
This sentence uses nefna (to name or appoint), which takes two accusative objects. The first is the direct object (the person being named, frambjóðandann), and the second is the object complement (the title or role they are given, varamann). Verbs of naming and electing, like kalla and kjósa, follow this exact same double accusative pattern.
Why does frambjóðandann have the definite article attached, but varamann does not?
In Icelandic, when a noun functions as an object complement to describe a title, role, or profession assigned to someone, it usually drops the article. They appointed him to the position of deputy, which is just varamann. The direct object (frambjóðandann) keeps its article because it identifies the specific person receiving that role.
Frambjóðandann comes from the noun frambjóðandi. How do nouns ending in -andi decline?
Nouns ending in -andi are masculine words that usually describe a person performing an action. In the singular, they only change in the genitive case (becoming -anda). Therefore, the accusative form is still frambjóðandi. When we attach the masculine accusative definite article -nn, the final form becomes frambjóðandann.
How does the word varamann break down?
The base word is varamaður, which is a compound of the prefix vara- (meaning reserve, substitute, or alternate) and maður (person or man). You will see vara- in many other official titles, such as varaforseti (vice president). Because the accusative form of maður is mann, the compound becomes varamann in this double accusative sentence.
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