Preesenspartisiippi

Preesenspartisiippi is the present active participle in Finnish grammar. It is a non-finite verb form built from the verb stem by adding the suffix -va or -vä, used to describe ongoing or characteristic action related to a noun. The choice between -va and -vä follows vowel harmony rules, and the form tends to function like an adjective or adverb in sentences.

In usage, the preesenspartisiippi functions primarily as an adjective that agrees with the noun it modifies in number and case. It can appear in attributive position before a noun, as in examples like kirjoittava opettaja (the teacher who writes) or ajava auto (the car that is driving). It can also occur predicatively after a copula, though this is less common in everyday language. The form can convey a sense of ongoing or habitual action related to the noun.

The present participle forms a variety of common adjectives and compound expressions. It is widely used to create descriptive phrases that tell what someone or something is doing. For instance, kirjoittava ihminen describes a person who writes, while ajava auto describes a car that is in motion. In addition to simple adjectival uses, the preesenspartisiippi can participate in more complex nominal phrases and be part of broader descriptive clauses.

Compared with other participles, the preesenspartisiippi provides a flexible, non-finite option to express ongoing action or characteristic activity without forming a full finite clause. It contrasts with the past participles and with verbal nouns, offering a concise way to attribute action to nouns in a variety of syntactic positions.