Breakdown of Við gistum ef þið komið með tjaldið.
þið
you (plural)
við
we
koma
to come
með
with
ef
if
gista
to spend the night
tjaldið
the tent
Questions & Answers about Við gistum ef þið komið með tjaldið.
How does the word ef (if) affect the verbs in this sentence?
Ef introduces a condition. Because this is a simple, real possibility, both verbs (gistum and komið) just stay in the normal present tense. You don't need any special verb forms or complicated word order changes here.
Why does the Icelandic sentence say komið með instead of a single verb for "bring"?
In Icelandic, the most natural way to say "to bring" is to use the phrase koma með (literally "to come with"). So, þið komið með tjaldið translates perfectly to "you bring the tent."
Why is tjaldið in the accusative case rather than the dative?
The preposition með can take either the dative or the accusative case depending on its meaning. When it forms the phrase koma með (to bring an object), it always takes the accusative case. Because tjald is a neuter noun, its accusative form looks identical to its basic dictionary form.
Why is the plural þið used for "you" instead of þú?
Þið means the speaker is talking to at least two people. If they were talking to just one person, they would use the singular þú and change the verb to match, saying ef þú kemur með tjaldið.
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