Breakdown of Við sinnum sérhverri nauðstaddri fjölskyldu.
við
we
fjölskyldan
the family
sinna
to attend to
sérhver
every single
Questions & Answers about Við sinnum sérhverri nauðstaddri fjölskyldu.
Why does the pronoun sérhver become sérhverri in this sentence?
The verb sinna (to attend to) requires its object to be in the dative case. Because the noun fjölskylda (family) is feminine, the whole phrase takes the feminine dative singular form. Sérhver declines exactly like the word hver (who/which/each), so applying the feminine dative rules gives us sérhverri.
Why does the adjective nauðstaddri use the strong declension here?
Adjectives use the strong declension when there is no definite article or demonstrative pronoun (like this or that) in front of them. Even though sérhverri (every single) specifies the families, grammatically it acts as an indefinite pronoun. Therefore, the adjective takes the strong feminine dative singular ending -ri.
What are the root words that make up the adjective nauðstaddur?
It is a compound of the noun nauð (need, distress, or emergency) and the adjective staddur (situated or located). Literally, it means situated in distress.
Is sinna a verb that always dictates the case of its object?
Yes! When sinna means to attend to, to care for, or to carry out a duty, it always governs the dative case. This is why the entire noun phrase sérhverri nauðstaddri fjölskyldu is forced into the dative.