Question 1

Why is með placed before fylgir instead of after it?

Accepted Answer

This is an example of stylistic fronting. In relative clauses starting with sem where the relative pronoun acts as the subject, particles or adverbs like með are often moved right before the verb. This makes the sentence sound more formal or written. In everyday spoken Icelandic, you would usually say sem fylgir með.

Question 2

Does fylgja með always mean "is enclosed"?

Accepted Answer

The phrasal verb fylgja með literally means "to follow with" or "to accompany". In the context of emails, documents, or physical mail, it is the standard way to say that something is "enclosed" or "attached".

Question 3

I remember that the verb fylgja usually governs the dative case. Why isn't there a dative noun or pronoun here?

Accepted Answer

While fylgja does require a dative object when someone or something is being followed or accompanied, here it is used intransitively (without an object). Combined with með, it simply describes the state of the attachment accompanying the message.

Question 4

Why does viðhengið have a definite suffix while afrit does not?

Accepted Answer

Viðhengið (the attachment) takes the definite neuter suffix -ið because it refers to the specific attachment provided with the message. Afrit (a copy) remains indefinite because it merely classifies what that attachment is, just like using "a" in the English phrase "is a copy".

Viðhengið sem með fylgir er afrit.

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