Formaalsetest

Formaalsetest is an Estonian grammatical form. It represents the elative plural form of the adjective formaalne, which means formal. In Estonian, adjectives agree with the nouns they modify in number and case, so formaalne takes different endings depending on the case and the number of the noun. Formaalsetest appears when both the adjective and the noun are in the elative plural, for example in phrases such as formaalse dokumentidest or formaalseid tingimustest.

Usage and meaning there is in context phrases like formaalse dokumentidest (from formal documents) and formaalse tingimustest (from formal conditions). These constructions are common in formal or official writing, including legal, administrative, and policy texts, where distinctions between formal and informal or official sources and materials are important. In everyday speech, speakers more often use simpler phrases and avoid long inflected forms.

Relation to other forms The Estonian adjective formaalne has multiple inflected forms to match different nouns and cases, such as formamaalse, formaalseid, and formaalse, depending on number, case, and the role of the noun in the sentence. Formaalsetest specifically marks the elative plural, indicating a source, movement from, or relation to “formal” things in that particular grammatical context.

See also formaalne, Estonian adjective; Estonian grammar; elative case.