Question 1

Why is the preposition hjá at the very end of the sentence?

Accepted Answer

This is called preposition stranding, and it works a lot like it does in English! In the relative clause sem ég vinn hjá (that I work for), the preposition hjá gets left at the end. Just like we say 'the company I work for' in English, Icelandic puts the preposition at the end of a sem clause.

Question 2

Why doesn't the word fyrirtækið change to match the dative case that hjá normally requires?

Accepted Answer

The word fyrirtækið belongs to the main part of the sentence (Hann er að hugsa um fyrirtækið), so its case is decided by the preposition um, which takes the accusative. Even though the stranded preposition hjá in the second half usually requires the dative, it doesn't affect the noun because fyrirtækið is safely outside the sem clause.

Question 3

Why do we use hjá here instead of fyrir to mean working for a company?

Accepted Answer

In Icelandic, when you are talking about being employed by a company or a person, the standard phrase is vinna hjá (literally 'work by' or 'work at'). You would use vinna fyrir if you were doing a specific favor, gig, or task for someone, rather than being their regular employee.

Question 4

Could I say Hann hugsar um instead of Hann er að hugsa um?

Accepted Answer

You could, but it changes the meaning slightly. Hann er að hugsa uses the continuous form to show he is actively thinking about it right this exact moment. Hann hugsar would imply he thinks about it generally, habitually, or as a matter of opinion.

Hann er að hugsa um fyrirtækið sem ég vinn hjá.

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