Fixed Verb Phrases
Hún tók þátt í keppninni. (She took part in the competition.) The whole phrase taka þátt í works like one verb.
How It Works
Common phrases and their cases.
- gera ráð fyrir + dative (expect, assume): Ég geri ráð fyrir því.
- taka tillit til + genitive (take into account): taka tillit til veðursins
- hafa áhrif á + accusative (affect): hafa áhrif á skapið
- taka þátt í + dative (take part in): taka þátt í keppninni
- koma í veg fyrir + accusative (prevent): koma í veg fyrir slys
- leggja áherslu á + accusative (stress, emphasize)
- bera ábyrgð á + dative (be responsible for)
- gera sér grein fyrir + dative (realize)
Only the verb changes. Hún tók þátt. Við höfum tekið þátt. The noun stays as it is.
Referring back with því. When the object is a whole clause, a pronoun often comes first: Ég geri ráð fyrir því að hann komi. The pronoun takes the case of the phrase. See prepositions before að-clauses.
Why they matter. These phrases are very common in news and at work. Many of them also make nouns, such as þátttaka (participation). See verbs with fixed prepositions and nominal style.
Examples (6)
- Ég geri ráð fyrir því að hann komi.
I expect that he will come.
Word by Word: I make plan for it that he come.
- Við verðum að taka tillit til veðursins.
We have to take the weather into account.
Word by Word: We must to take regard to the-weather (GEN).
- Veðrið hefur mikil áhrif á skapið.
The weather has a big effect on my mood.
Word by Word: The-weather has great effects on the-mood.
- Hún tók þátt í keppninni.
She took part in the competition.
Word by Word: She took part in the-competition.
- Bóluefnið kemur í veg fyrir alvarleg veikindi.
The vaccine prevents serious illness.
Word by Word: The-vaccine comes in way before serious illnesses.
- Kennarinn lagði áherslu á framburð.
The teacher stressed pronunciation.
Word by Word: The-teacher laid emphasis on pronunciation.
Common Mistakes
Using the wrong preposition.
Hún tók þátt á keppninni.Hún tók þátt í keppninni.The phrase is always taka þátt í. Learn the preposition together with the phrase.
Using the wrong case after til.
Við tókum tillit til aðstæður.Við tókum tillit til aðstæðna.til takes the genitive, so aðstæður becomes aðstæðna.
Using the accusative after gera ráð fyrir.
Ég geri ráð fyrir það.Ég geri ráð fyrir því.gera ráð fyrir takes the dative, so það becomes því.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Fixed verb phrases build on particle verbs.
Related Patterns
- Verbs With Fixed Prepositions
Single verbs that always take the same preposition.
Level 3 - Particle Verbs and Their Nouns
How these phrases turn into nouns like þátttaka.
Level 5 - Nominal and Verbal Style
Formal writing uses many noun-based phrases like these.
Level 5 - verða fyrirExperiencing Something (Verða Fyrir)
Another set phrase with a fixed case.
Level 5 - Using Prepositions With Clauses: aðPrepositions Before Að-Clauses
Why því comes before að in gera ráð fyrir því að.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice Fixed Verb Phrases in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Icelandic lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
