Nafnháttarsetning

Nafnháttarsetning is an Icelandic grammatical construction that translates roughly to "infinitive clause" or "to-infinitive clause" in English. It is a subordinate clause that functions as a noun, often serving as the subject or object of a main verb. These clauses are typically introduced by the particle að, which is a type of infinitive marker.

Nafnháttarsetning is employed in a variety of contexts. For instance, it can follow verbs that express desire, intention, obligation, or necessity. Examples include "Ég vil að fara" (I want to go) or "Hann þarf að læra" (He needs to learn). The particle að precedes the infinitive form of the verb in the subordinate clause.

In some cases, the subject of the nafnháttarsetning is the same as the subject of the main clause, and the subject may be omitted in the subordinate clause. However, if the subject of the subordinate clause is different from that of the main clause, it is typically placed before the particle að. For example, "Ég bjóst við að honum líkaði það" (I expected him to like it).

The use of nafnháttarsetning is a characteristic feature of Icelandic grammar, contributing to the language's rich inflectional system and complex sentence structures. Understanding this construction is crucial for comprehending and correctly forming Icelandic sentences.