Question 1

Why does the adjective sérstökum end in -um here?

Accepted Answer

The preposition með meaning "with" (in the sense of using or dealing with something) takes the dative case. Since the collector is working with multiple photographs, the adjective is in the dative plural. The strong dative plural ending for adjectives is -um!

Question 2

The dictionary form of the adjective is sérstakur. Where does the "ö" in sérstökum come from?

Accepted Answer

This is caused by the U-shift rule. When you add an ending that contains a "u" (like the dative plural -um) to a word with an "a" in the stem, that "a" changes to an "ö". So, the stem sérstak- becomes sérstök- before the -um ending is added.

Question 3

Both sérstökum and ljósmyndum end in -um. Is that a coincidence?

Accepted Answer

Not at all! In the dative plural, almost all nouns and strong adjectives take the -um ending regardless of their gender. This makes the dative plural one of the easiest forms to spot and match up.

Question 4

I've seen the preposition með take the accusative case before. Why is it dative here?

Accepted Answer

Með takes the accusative when it means bringing or carrying something. When it means being accompanied by, using, or dealing with something (like working with photographs), it triggers the dative case.

Question 5

Is the word safnari (collector) related to the verb að safna (to collect)?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Just like in English where we add "-er" or "-or" to a verb to describe a person who does that action (collect to collector), in Icelandic you can often add -ari to a verb stem to create a noun for a person doing the action.

Þessi safnari starfar með sérstökum ljósmyndum.

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