Questions & Answers about Hún gaf Önnu fallega gjöf.
Why is Önnu in the dative case and gjöf in the accusative?
The verb gefa (to give) takes two objects. It dictates that the recipient (Önnu) takes the dative case, while the direct object being given (gjöf) takes the accusative case.
How does the proper name Anna decline in this sentence?
In Icelandic, proper names decline just like regular nouns. Anna follows the weak feminine declension pattern. Because it ends in -a in the nominative, its accusative, dative, and genitive forms all change to end in -u, making it Önnu here in the dative.
Why does the adjective take the form fallega?
The adjective must agree with gjöf, which is feminine, singular, and in the accusative case. Because the noun doesn't have a definite article attached to it, the adjective uses the strong declension. The strong feminine accusative singular form of fallegur is fallega.
Why doesn't the feminine noun gjöf change its ending in the accusative case?
Gjöf belongs to a class of strong feminine nouns where the nominative, accusative, and dative singular forms are identical. It only changes in the genitive singular (becoming gjafar) and in the plural.
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