Breakdown of Ég klippti þetta dvergtré þremur árum fyrr.
ég
I
þrír
three
þessi
this (m/f)
árið
the year
klippa
to cut (with scissors)
dvergtréð
the dwarf tree
fyrr
earlier (in general)
Questions & Answers about Ég klippti þetta dvergtré þremur árum fyrr.
Why is þremur árum in the dative case?
This is the dative of temporal difference, which is the focus of your current lesson. When you specify how much earlier or later an event happens, Icelandic uses the dative case to express that exact amount of time. Here, þremur árum (three years) measures the difference in time for the adverb fyrr (earlier).
Why do we use fyrr here instead of just saying áður?
Fyrr is a comparative adverb meaning "earlier". You need a comparative word when using the dative of temporal difference because you are comparing two points in time (now vs. three years ago). Áður generally just means "before" or "previously" without implying a measurable comparison, so it doesn't pair with a specific time difference like þremur árum.
Why does the number three take the form þremur here?
The number three (þrír) declines to match the case of the noun it modifies. Because it is measuring the temporal difference, árum (years) is in the dative plural. Therefore, the number must also be in the dative plural. Handily, þremur is the dative plural form of "three" across all three genders.
Does the verb klippa take the accusative case here for þetta dvergtré?
Yes, klippa (to cut, clip, or prune) takes a direct object in the accusative case. Tré (tree) is a neuter noun, and its accusative singular form is identical to its nominative form. That is why the demonstrative pronoun þetta (this) is also in the neuter accusative singular form to match it.
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