Breakdown of Annars vegar elskum við kyrrðina, hins vegar vantar okkur nálægð við vinnuna.
elska
to love
okkur
us
vinnan
the work
vanta
to need (to lack)
við
at / by (next to)
hins vegar
on the other hand
annars vegar
on the one hand
kyrrðin
the tranquility
nálægðin
the proximity
Questions & Answers about Annars vegar elskum við kyrrðina, hins vegar vantar okkur nálægð við vinnuna.
How do annars vegar and hins vegar affect the word order in this sentence?
Because annars vegar (on the one hand) and hins vegar (on the other hand) occupy the first position in their respective clauses, they trigger the V2 (verb-second) rule. This is why the verbs elskum and vantar immediately follow them, pushing the pronouns við and okkur to the third position.
Why does the second clause use okkur instead of við?
The verb vanta (to lack/need) is an impersonal verb. The experiencer (the one who lacks) is not a standard nominative subject but instead takes the accusative case (okkur). The thing being lacked (nálægð) is also in the accusative case. You will often hear this referred to as a "double accusative" verb.
Why is the preposition við used in the phrase við vinnuna?
In Icelandic, the concept of proximity or closeness to something is typically expressed with the preposition við. It pairs with the noun nálægð (proximity) and forces the following noun, vinnuna (the work), into the accusative case.
What case is kyrrðina in, and how is it formed?
It is in the accusative case because it is the direct object of the verb elska (to love). The base noun is kyrrð (tranquility), and the definite article suffix -ina has been attached to mean "the tranquility".
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