Breakdown of Þú sleppur við viðurlögin svo framarlega sem þú hlýðir.
þú
you
sleppa
to let go, to escape / to avoid / get out of
svo framarlega sem
provided that
hlýða
to obey
viðurlögin
the penalties
Questions & Answers about Þú sleppur við viðurlögin svo framarlega sem þú hlýðir.
Why use svo framarlega sem here instead of just ef (if)?
While ef just means "if", svo framarlega sem specifically sets a firm condition or restriction. It translates literally to "so forwardly as" but functions exactly like "provided that" or "on the strict condition that" in English. It emphasizes that avoiding the penalties relies entirely on your obedience.
Why do we need the preposition við after sleppur, and what case does it trigger?
The verb sleppa is a bit of a chameleon. By itself, it can mean "to escape" or "to let go of" (which takes the dative). However, the phrasal verb sleppa við specifically means "to avoid" or "to get out of" something negative. When used this way, við dictates that the following noun must be in the accusative case.
What is the base word for viðurlögin and why is it plural?
Doesn't the verb hlýða usually need an object, like telling us exactly who to obey?
It often does take an object in the dative case (for example, hlýða reglunum meaning "obey the rules"). However, just like in English, it can be used intransitively to describe a general state of action. Saying þú hlýðir simply implies general obedience without needing to specify the exact target.
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