Question 1

Why is the noun for power in the genitive case (kraftsins)?

Accepted Answer

This ties directly into the current lesson! The adjective verður (worthy) governs the genitive case. Instead of using a preposition like the English worthy of, Icelandic simply puts the target noun into the genitive case.

Question 2

I thought verður was a verb meaning will be or must. What is it doing here right after er?

Accepted Answer

You are thinking of the verb að verða, which takes the form verður in the present tense. However, here verður is an adjective meaning worthy. Because we already have the main verb er (is), you can deduce that verður is acting as an adjective describing the candidate.

Question 3

If the subject were a feminine noun like hetja (hero), how would the adjective change?

Accepted Answer

The adjective must agree in gender, number, and case with the subject. For a feminine nominative singular noun, verður becomes verð. The sentence would then be: Sérhver hetja er verð kraftsins.

Question 4

How does the word sérhver (every) decline if used in a different case?

Accepted Answer

It is a compound word where only the second half (hver) declines, while the sér- prefix remains completely unchanged. For example, if it were modifying a masculine accusative noun, it would become sérhvern, following the exact same pattern as the standalone pronoun hver.

Question 5

Can you break down the endings on kraftsins?

Accepted Answer

It consists of the masculine noun kraftur (power) in the genitive singular, which is krafts, attached to the masculine genitive singular definite article, which is -ins. Together, they form kraftsins (of the power).

Sérhver kandidat er verður kraftsins.

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