Question 1

Why are both okkur and vonbrigðum in the dative case after valdið?

Accepted Answer

The verb valda (to cause) is a double dative verb. It requires two objects: the person affected and the thing caused, and both must be in the dative case. So we get okkur (us, dative) and vonbrigðum (disappointment, dative).

Question 2

Does lofaði also take two dative objects?

Accepted Answer

Yes! The verb lofa (to promise) is another double dative verb. When you promise someone something, both the recipient (okkur) and the thing promised (bótum) take the dative case.

Question 3

Why use the subjunctive hafi instead of the indicative hefur?

Accepted Answer

The phrase þrátt fyrir að (despite that) triggers the subjunctive mood. Because the delay is part of this "despite" clause, the auxiliary verb hafa must take its subjunctive form hafi.

Question 4

Why does the main clause start with the verb lofaði rather than the subject fyrirtækið?

Accepted Answer

This is the V2 (verb-second) rule in action. The entire subordinate clause (Þrátt fyrir að... vonbrigðum) counts as the first element of the sentence. To keep the main verb in the second position, lofaði must come right after the comma, before the subject fyrirtækið.

Question 5

Why do both vonbrigðum and bótum end in -um?

Accepted Answer

Both of these words are used in the plural here, and all Icelandic nouns end in -um in the dative plural. Vonbrigði (disappointment) is a neuter plural noun, and bætur (compensation) is a feminine plural noun.

Þrátt fyrir að töfin hafi valdið okkur vonbrigðum, lofaði fyrirtækið okkur bótum.

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