Question 1

Why does the second part say göngum við (walk we) instead of við göngum (we walk)?

Accepted Answer

This is the Icelandic "V2" (verb-second) rule in action. The entire "if" clause (Ef veðurspáin er góð) counts as the first piece of information in the sentence. Therefore, the main verb göngum must come next, immediately followed by the subject við.

Question 2

Do we need any special verb forms after ef (if) in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

No! Because this is a simple, real condition—meaning it is a realistic possibility that might actually happen—we just use normal present tense verbs (er and göngum). You only need special verb forms (the subjunctive mood) for imaginary or highly unlikely situations.

Question 3

Veður is a neuter word, so why is the adjective góð (feminine) instead of gott (neuter)?

Accepted Answer

In compound words like veðurspáin (the weather forecast), the gender is determined by the last part of the word. Spá (forecast) is a feminine noun, making the entire compound word feminine. Because of this, the describing adjective must also be the feminine form góð.

Question 4

Why does this sentence use á fjallið (accusative case) rather than á fjallinu (dative case)?

Accepted Answer

The preposition á takes the accusative case when it describes movement toward a destination (walking up or onto the mountain). If you were already on the mountain and just walking around up there, you would use the dative case (á fjallinu) to show a fixed location.

Ef veðurspáin er góð, göngum við á fjallið.

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