Breakdown of Fundarstjórinn svarar sumum spurningum í umræðunni.
í
in / into / to (before the hour, in telling time) / per (in frequency expressions)
svara
to answer
spurningin
the question (f)
sumur
some (sumir, sumar, sum)
fundarstjórinn
the moderator
umræðan
the discussion
Questions & Answers about Fundarstjórinn svarar sumum spurningum í umræðunni.
Why is sumum used here instead of sumar or sumir?
The verb svara (to answer) always forces the thing being answered into the dative case. Since the word for questions, spurningum, is plural, we use the dative plural form of the word for some, which is sumum. A handy rule for this level: the dative plural of adjectives and pronouns almost always ends in -um, just like the nouns!
Are sumum and spurningum both feminine?
Yes, the base word spurning is feminine. However, in the dative plural, all genders (masculine, feminine, and neuter) share the exact same ending: -um. So sumum is the dative plural form for all words, regardless of their gender.
Why is umræðunni in the dative case after í?
The preposition í (in) takes the dative case when it describes being static or located inside something, even abstract concepts like a discussion (umræða). If it implied movement into something, it would take the accusative. Here, the answering happens within the discussion, so it takes the dative.
What are the parts that make up the word Fundarstjórinn?
It is a compound word made of fundar (the possessive form of fundur, meaning a meeting) and stjórinn (the boss or manager, with the attached word for the). It literally means the meeting's manager, which is how you say the moderator.
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