Breakdown of Stjórinn heimtar að stundvísin verði betri.
góður
good
að
that (conjunction)
verða
to become; will be
stjórinn
the boss
heimta
to demand (insist)
stundvísin
the punctuality
Questions & Answers about Stjórinn heimtar að stundvísin verði betri.
Why do we use the subjunctive form verði in the second half of the sentence?
The verb heimtar (demands) expresses a strong will or requirement. In Icelandic, when the main verb expresses a desire, will, or demand for a new subject, the following að clause must use the subjunctive mood.
What dictates that we use the present subjunctive (verði) rather than the past subjunctive (yrði)?
The tense of the subjunctive verb matches the tense of the main verb. Because heimtar is in the present tense, the að clause takes the present subjunctive. If the sentence were in the past (The boss demanded), you would use the past subjunctive yrði.
Could I use sé instead of verði here?
You could, but it changes the meaning slightly. Using sé (from vera) means the boss demands that punctuality is currently better, whereas verði (from verða) implies a change of state, meaning punctuality must become or get better in the future.
The lesson mentions krefjast þess að, but here we just have heimtar að. Why is there no þess?
It depends on the case the main verb governs. The verb krefjast governs the genitive case, so it needs the genitive pronoun þess to link to the að clause. The verb heimta governs the accusative case and can connect directly to the að clause without needing a placeholder pronoun.
Why is punctuality written with the definite article (stundvísin)?
Abstract concepts and general categories often take the definite article in Icelandic, even when English leaves them indefinite. So while we say punctuality in English, Icelandic requires the definite article here.
Learn Stjórinn heimtar að stundvísin verði betri and more in Icelandic
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free