Adverbiaalin

Adverbiaalin is a term used in Finnish linguistics to refer to the adverbial function of a phrase or clause within a sentence. In grammar descriptions, adverbiaalin denotes a constituent that provides information about the circumstances of the action or state described by the predicate, rather than the subject or object.

Adverbiaalin expresses circumstantial information and can denote time, place, manner, reason, purpose, condition, concession, result, degree, or frequency. It can be realized in several forms:

- single words that function as adverbs, such as aamulla (in the morning), täällä (here), nopeasti (quickly);

- adverbial phrases, for example lentäen (flying), kaupungissa (in the city), huolellisesti (carefully);

- adverbial clauses, such as Kun hän saapuu (When he arrives) or Koska oli myöhä, menimme aikaisin (Because it was late, we left early);

- infinitival or participial constructions that express purpose or result, for example opiskiakseen (to study), tekemällä (by doing).

In use, adverbiaalin typically modifies the verb or the entire clause and answers questions such as milloin, missä, miten, miksi, millä tavoin, kuinka usein. It is distinct from the subject, object, and even some adjuncts by its core function: the circumstance under which the action occurs. Finnish grammars may differentiate between adverbi-phrases, adverbial nouns in certain cases, and clausal adverbials, all of which can fulfill adverbiaalin roles.

Relation to other elements of grammar: adverbiaalin is part of the broader category of adverbials, which also includes adverbial phrases and adverbial clauses. It is a functional label used to describe how a given constituent contributes circumstantial information to the predication.

See also: Adverb, Adverbial phrase, Adverbial clause.