Breakdown of Annars vegar getum við valið hið góða, en hins vegar hið illa.
en
but
góður
good
við
we
velja
to choose
geta
to be able to
hinn
the (formal definite article)
annars
otherwise
hins vegar
on the other hand
illur
evil
Questions & Answers about Annars vegar getum við valið hið góða, en hins vegar hið illa.
How do hið góða and hið illa function as nouns in this sentence?
They are examples of abstract nominalisation. By taking the formal, free-standing neuter article hið and pairing it with a weak adjective (góða and illa), Icelandic creates an abstract concept like 'the good' or 'the evil'. This is often used in philosophical or formal contexts instead of a standard noun.
Why are the adjectives góða and illa in their weak forms?
Whenever you use the free-standing article hið, it makes the phrase definite. In Icelandic, definite adjectives must always use their weak declension. Here, they are in the neuter singular weak form.
What case is governing hið góða and hið illa here?
They act as the direct objects of the verb valið (the supine form of velja, meaning 'to choose'). Both the article hið and the weak adjectives take the accusative neuter singular form to match this role, though in the neuter gender, this looks identical to the nominative.
What is the grammatical breakdown of annars vegar and hins vegar?
They mean 'on the one hand' and 'on the other hand', but literally translate to 'of another way' (annars vegar) and 'of the other way' (hins vegar). They are fixed adverbial expressions locked into the genitive case, using the noun vegur (way) alongside the pronouns annar and hinn.
Why is the verb getum placed before the subject við?
This is a necessary refresher on the V2 (verb-second) rule. Because the sentence begins with the adverbial phrase Annars vegar, the conjugated verb getum must immediately follow it in the second structural position, pushing the subject við to the third position.
Learn Annars vegar getum við valið hið góða, en hins vegar hið illa and more in Icelandic
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free