Setningum

Setningum is the dative plural form of the Icelandic noun setning, which means sentence. In Icelandic grammar, setning is a masculine noun that denotes a unit of language that expresses a complete thought. The form setningum is used in contexts where the dative case is required, such as after certain prepositions or with verbs that govern the dative.

In plural, the nominative and accusative forms are setningar, while the dative plural is setningum. The use of setningum therefore signals that the sentences are the indirect object or the recipient of an action, or that they are governed by a preposition requiring the dative.

Usage and context: Setningum appears in academic writing, linguistic examples, and descriptive grammar to illustrate how sentences function within larger phrases. It is commonly seen after prepositions that take the dative case, for example in phrases meaning “in the sentences,” “to the sentences,” or “with the sentences.” Writers use setningum to refer to multiple sentences without changing the underlying meaning of setning in different cases.

Examples:

- Í setningum þessa kafla eru helstu atriði skýrð. (In the sentences of this chapter, the main points are explained.)

- Með setningum þessa texta má ræða uppbyggingu ritgerðarinnar. (With the sentences of this text one can discuss the structure of the essay.)

See also: Icelandic grammar, setningur, Icelandic noun declension.