Epäfiniteverbimuoto

Epäfiniteverbimuoto, a Finnish term, refers to non-finite verb forms in the Finnish language. Unlike finite verbs, which are marked for tense, mood, and person, non-finite verb forms do not carry these grammatical markers directly. Instead, their meaning and function are often determined by context or by auxiliary verbs.

The primary categories of epäfiniteverbimuoto include the infinitive, the participle, and the agent participle. The infinitive, often translated as "to do" in English, exists in several forms, each with distinct grammatical roles. For instance, the first infinitive is commonly used with modal verbs and after certain prepositions or postpositions. Other infinitives, such as the second and third, have specific uses related to indicating purpose or consequence.

Participles in Finnish are also non-finite and function similarly to adjectives or adverbs in other languages, describing an action or state. They are marked for tense (present or past) and voice (active or passive). The agent participle, less common and often seen as a more specialized form, denotes the agent performing an action. Understanding these epäfiniteverbimuoto is crucial for comprehending Finnish sentence structure and verb usage. They contribute to the language's ability to express complex ideas concisely.