Breakdown of Þeir gefa slæma glæpamanninum stóru sektina.
stór
big
þeir
they (m)
gefa
to give
slæmur
bad
glæpamaðurinn
the criminal
sektin
the fine
Questions & Answers about Þeir gefa slæma glæpamanninum stóru sektina.
Why does the verb gefa use both the dative and accusative cases here?
The verb gefa (to give) takes two objects: the receiver in the dative case, and the thing being given in the accusative case. Here, the criminal (glæpamanninum) is receiving something, so he is dative, while the fine (sektina) is being given, so it is accusative.
Why is the adjective slæma (bad) used instead of the strong dative form slæmum?
Because the noun it describes (glæpamanninum) has the definite article attached. This forces the adjective into its weak declension. For masculine adjectives, the weak ending for the accusative, dative, and genitive cases is simply -a.
Why does the adjective for 'big' become stóru?
Just like the previous example, the noun sektina (the fine) has a definite article, making the adjective weak. Sekt is a feminine noun, and the weak ending for feminine adjectives in the accusative, dative, and genitive cases is always -u.
How does glæpamaður (criminal) change into glæpamanninum?
Words ending in -maður (man) follow the irregular declension of maður. In the dative case, maður becomes manni. Then, we simply add the masculine dative definite article -num to the end, giving us glæpamanninum.
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