Question 1

Why are both honum and lögsókn in the dative case?

Accepted Answer

The verb hóta (to threaten) is a double dative ditransitive verb. This means it takes two objects—the person being threatened (honum) and the thing they are threatened with (lögsókn)—and assigns the dative case to both of them. The pattern to remember is hóta einhverjum einhverju.

Question 2

Is lögsókn really dative here? It looks just like the nominative form.

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is dative. The feminine noun sókn (and compound words ending in it, like lögsókn or rannsókn) has the exact same form in the nominative, accusative, and dative singular. You can confidently identify it as dative here because the verb hóta requires it.

Question 3

The English translation says "with a lawsuit," but there is no word for "with" in the Icelandic sentence. Why?

Accepted Answer

The relationship expressed by "with" is handled entirely by the grammar of the double dative. When verbs use this structure, the second dative object often describes the instrument or the thing being offered or threatened. Adding a preposition like með (with) would be incorrect here, as the pattern hóta einhverjum einhverju inherently covers that meaning.

Question 4

Why is bæturnar in the plural form when the English translation says "the compensation" (singular)?

Accepted Answer

The Icelandic word for compensation, damages, or reparations is bætur, which is used almost exclusively in the plural. It comes from the feminine noun bót (improvement or remedy). Here, it is in the accusative plural because it is the direct object of the verb borga (to pay), with the definite article -nar attached.

Þeir hótuðu honum lögsókn af því að hann borgaði ekki bæturnar.

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