Hallamiseks

Hallamiseks is a term from Estonian grammar describing a non-finite form that expresses purpose. It is formed by adding the suffix -miseks to a stem associated with gray, color change, or aging, producing a phrase that roughly means “for greying” or “in order to grey.” The form is typical of Estonian infinitives used to indicate intention or means in a clause, and it can be viewed as part of the broader -miseks infinitive family.

Usage and meaning: Halliseks­- type infinitives appear in formal, technical, or descriptive writing when a process is described as the method or purpose to achieve a result. In practice, hallamiseks is part of noun phrases or subordinate clauses. Examples include phrases such as värvi hallimiseks kasutatavad ained (agents used for greying the color) or vananemise kontrollimiseks hallamiseks vajalikud tööriistad (tools needed for the greying/aging process). In these contexts, hallamiseks functions as a purpose modifier rather than as the main predicate.

Grammar: As a non-finite form, hallamiseks does not form a sentence by itself. It typically occurs with auxiliary verbs or as part of larger noun-plus-infinitive constructions that set a purpose for an action or process. The suffix -miseks is part of a broader Estonian system that forms infinitives conveying purpose, similar to other -miseks forms used to express “for doing” or “in order to.”

See also: Estonian grammar, infinitives with -miseks, morphological suffixes for purpose. Further reading: standard references on Estonian morphology and syntax.