Breakdown of Þú snýrð skífunni réttsælis þannig að vélbúnaðurinn virkar.
þú
you
virka
to work (to function)
snúa
to turn (+ Dative)
skífan
the dial
réttsælis
clockwise
vélbúnaðurinn
the mechanism
þannig að
so / with the result that
Questions & Answers about Þú snýrð skífunni réttsælis þannig að vélbúnaðurinn virkar.
Why is the verb virkar in the indicative mood after þannig að?
In this sentence, þannig að introduces a resultative clause, meaning it states a factual consequence ("with the result that the mechanism works"). Because it expresses an actual, guaranteed result rather than an uncertain or hypothetical purpose, it correctly takes the indicative mood (virkar).
Why is the word for "the dial" (skífunni) in the dative case?
The verb snúa (to turn) governs the dative case when it refers to physically rotating or turning an object. Therefore, the nominative skífa becomes skífunni (dative singular with the definite article attached).
How is the adverb réttsælis (clockwise) constructed?
How does the compound word vélbúnaðurinn break down?
It combines vél (machine) and búnaður (equipment or mechanism), followed by the masculine definite article -inn. Recognizing búnaður is highly useful at this level, as it forms many technical terms like hugbúnaður (software) and vélbúnaður (which can mean computer hardware or, as in this sentence, a physical machine mechanism).
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