Keskilause

Keskilause is a Finnish term that translates to "middle sentence" or "main clause." In grammar, it refers to a clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence and expresses a complete thought. It contains a subject and a predicate. A kesislauses is essential for forming a simple sentence. When combined with other clauses, it often forms the core of a more complex sentence structure.

The kesislauses is contrasted with subordinate clauses, which cannot stand alone and depend on the kesislauses for their full meaning. Subordinate clauses, also known as sivulause, typically begin with a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun. The relationship between a kesislauses and a sivulause is one of dependency, where the sivulause modifies or adds information to the kesislauses. Understanding the distinction between these clause types is fundamental to analyzing sentence structure in Finnish. Identifying the kesislauses in a sentence helps to determine the primary assertion or statement being made.