Breakdown of Hann getur valið annan hvorn valkostinn, en hvorugur er öruggur.
vera
to be
hann
he
en
but
velja
to choose
geta
to be able to
öruggur
safe
valkosturinn
the option
hvorugur
neither of two
annar hvor
one of two / either (pronoun)
Questions & Answers about Hann getur valið annan hvorn valkostinn, en hvorugur er öruggur.
Why are both parts of annan hvorn in the accusative case?
The phrase is the direct object of the verb valið (choose), which takes the accusative. Because annar hvor is a compound pronoun, both halves must agree with the masculine noun valkostur (option). Therefore, annar becomes annan and hvor becomes hvorn.
Why does valkostinn have the definite article when the English translation says 'either option'?
In Icelandic, when annar hvor directly modifies a noun, that noun must take the definite article. Even though English says 'either option' (indefinite), Icelandic grammar requires literally saying 'either the option' (annan hvorn valkostinn).
Is hvorugur related to annar hvor?
Yes, hvorugur means 'neither' (none of the two) and is the exact negative counterpart of annar hvor (either/one of the two). Here it is used as a standalone subject in the second clause, so it takes the nominative masculine singular form to refer back to the masculine noun valkostur.
Why is the adjective öruggur (safe) in the nominative case instead of the accusative?
In the second clause (en hvorugur er öruggur), öruggur describes the subject hvorugur using the verb er (is). Because the verb 'to be' connects a subject to a description rather than taking a direct object, the adjective stays in the nominative masculine singular to match the subject.
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