Lisälause

Lisälause is a term in Finnish grammar referring to a type of subordinate clause that adds information to a main clause in a sentence. It cannot stand alone as a complete sentence and depends on the main clause for its full meaning. Lisälause can function as an object (a clause that complements a verb), as a modifier of a noun (a relative clause), or as an adverbial, providing information such as time, reason, condition, purpose, or result.

Finnish lisälause come in several forms. Finite subordinate clauses are introduced by subordinating conjunctions such as että (that), kun (when), jos (if), koska (because), jotta (so that), or vaikka (although). Relative clauses modify a noun and are introduced by words like joka, mikä, kuka (which, what, who) and their inflected forms, e.g., mies, joka asuu naapurissa (the man who lives next door). Complement clauses, such as Uskon, että hän tulee (I believe that he is coming), function as a direct or indirect object of a verb. Finnish also features non-finite lisälause, such as infinitive- or participial-based clauses, which can express manner, time, or condition without a finite verb form.

Punctuation and position generally follow the main clause. In written Finnish, lisälause that adds non-essential information is typically separated from the main clause by a comma; restrictive relative clauses may be written without a comma depending on their role in the sentence.

In summary, lisälause covers the range of dependent clauses that elaborate on the meaning of a main clause, including time, reason, condition, purpose, and relative information, and it is distinguished from the main clause by its dependence and often by specific conjunctions or relative pronouns.