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Present tense in narrative style Exercises in Icelandic language

Mastering the present tense in Icelandic is essential for crafting vivid and engaging narratives. Unlike English, Icelandic verbs conjugate according to the subject, providing a unique rhythm and flow to storytelling. Understanding the nuances of present tense verbs can significantly enhance your ability to convey actions and emotions effectively, whether you are recounting a daily routine, describing a scene, or narrating an ongoing event. This page will guide you through the essentials of present tense conjugation and usage in Icelandic, offering practical exercises to reinforce your learning and build your confidence.
In Icelandic, the present tense is used not only for actions happening right now but also for habitual actions and general truths. The intricacy lies in the verb endings, which vary depending on the subject pronoun. For example, the verb "að vera" (to be) changes from "ég er" (I am) to "við erum" (we are), highlighting the importance of subject-verb agreement. By practicing these conjugations and incorporating them into narrative sentences, you will develop a more intuitive grasp of the language. Through the following exercises, you will encounter a variety of scenarios that will help you apply present tense verbs correctly and naturally, enhancing your storytelling prowess in Icelandic.
Exercise 1
<p>1. Ég *les* bók á hverjum degi (action involving reading).</p>
<p>2. Hann *borðar* morgunmat klukkan átta (action involving food).</p>
<p>3. Við *fara* í sund á laugardögum (action involving swimming).</p>
<p>4. Þú *heyrir* í fuglum á morgnana (action involving listening).</p>
<p>5. Hún *tekur* strætó í vinnuna (action involving transportation).</p>
<p>6. Þau *skrifa* bréf til vina sinna (action involving writing).</p>
<p>7. Þeir *hlaupa* í garðinum á morgnana (action involving running).</p>
<p>8. Við *syngjum* í kirkjukórnum (action involving singing).</p>
<p>9. Þú *spilar* á píanó á kvöldin (action involving playing an instrument).</p>
<p>10. Ég *teikna* myndir í frítíma mínum (action involving drawing).</p>
Exercise 2
<p>1. Ég *les* bók á hverju kvöldi (verb for reading).</p>
<p>2. Hann *borðar* morgunmat átta á morgnana (verb for eating).</p>
<p>3. Við *göngum* í skólann saman (verb for walking).</p>
<p>4. Hún *syngur* í kórnum á sunnudögum (verb for singing).</p>
<p>5. Þeir *vinna* á skrifstofunni alla virka daga (verb for working).</p>
<p>6. Börnin *leika* sér í garðinum eftir skóla (verb for playing).</p>
<p>7. Ég *skrifa* bréf til vina minna (verb for writing).</p>
<p>8. Hann *tekur* myndir af fjöllunum (verb for taking photos).</p>
<p>9. Við *horfum* á sjónvarpið saman á kvöldin (verb for watching).</p>
<p>10. Hún *hjálpar* mér með heimanámið (verb for helping).</p>
Exercise 3
<p>1. Hann *fer* í vinnuna á hverjum morgni (verb for going).</p>
<p>2. Hún *les* bókina á meðan hún bíður (verb for reading).</p>
<p>3. Við *borðum* kvöldmat saman á hverju kvöldi (verb for eating).</p>
<p>4. Þau *hlaupa* í garðinum eftir skóla (verb for running).</p>
<p>5. Ég *syng* í kórnum á sunnudögum (verb for singing).</p>
<p>6. Þú *teiknar* myndir í frítímanum þínum (verb for drawing).</p>
<p>7. Við *spilum* fótbolta á laugardögum (verb for playing).</p>
<p>8. Hún *keyrir* bílinn sinn til vinnu á hverjum degi (verb for driving).</p>
<p>9. Þeir *tala* íslensku í kennslustundinni (verb for speaking).</p>
<p>10. Ég *sofa* í átta klukkustundir á nóttunni (verb for sleeping).</p>