Question 1

Why do we use the reflexive sitt here instead of hennar, even though the subject Henni is not in the nominative case?

Accepted Answer

This is the core feature of quirky subjects. Even though Henni is in the dative case, it acts completely as the grammatical subject of the sentence. Because it is the subject, it triggers the reflexive possessive sitt (her own) for anything belonging to her, rather than the non-reflexive hennar.

Question 2

Doesn't the verb líka usually take a nominative object? Why is there a við here?

Accepted Answer

Normally, líka does take a nominative object (for example, Henni líkar einkasafnið). However, when you add an adverb of degree like vel or illa to say how much someone likes or dislikes something, the phrase turns into líka vel við. This adds the preposition við and shifts the object into the accusative case.

Question 3

Since we are using við, what case is the phrase undarlega einkasafnið sitt in?

Accepted Answer

It is in the accusative case because it is the object of the preposition við. The neuter noun einkasafn with the attached article becomes einkasafnið, and the reflexive possessive takes its neuter accusative form, sitt.

Question 4

Why does the adjective undarlega end in an -a here instead of the standard neuter -t ending?

Accepted Answer

Because the noun it modifies (einkasafnið) has the definite article attached, the adjective must use the weak declension. For a neuter noun in the accusative case, the weak adjective ending is -a (rather than the strong form undarlegt).

Henni líkar mjög vel við undarlega einkasafnið sitt.

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