Breakdown of Kóngurinn sagðist stjórna heimsveldinu með lögunum.
með
with
kóngurinn
the king
stjórna
to control
segjast
to claim (about oneself)
heimsveldið
the empire
lögin
the laws
Questions & Answers about Kóngurinn sagðist stjórna heimsveldinu með lögunum.
Why do we use sagðist stjórna instead of sagði að hann stjórnaði?
The -st ending on sagðist is the middle voice. When reporting speech where the subject of the main clause is the same as the subject of the reported action (meaning the king said that he himself ruled), Icelandic frequently uses the middle voice followed directly by an infinitive (stjórna). This is usually more natural and concise than using a full að (that) clause.
Why is heimsveldinu in the dative case here?
The verb stjórna (to rule, manage, or control) governs the dative case. Therefore, the neuter noun heimsveldi (empire) must be in its dative definite form, heimsveldinu.
Is með always followed by the dative case, as in með lögunum?
No, með can take either the accusative or the dative. It takes the dative when it means 'with' in an instrumental sense (by means of) or for accompaniment (together with). Because the king is using the laws as an instrument to rule, it triggers the dative. It would take the accusative if it meant 'carrying' or 'bringing' something.
What is the base form of lögunum?
The base form is lög (law), which is a neuter noun that is almost exclusively used in the plural in Icelandic. Lögunum is the dative plural form with the definite article (-unum) attached.
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