Põhilausga

Põhilausga is a term used in Estonian grammar to describe sentence structures that revolve around a main clause (põhilause). The word is formed from põhilaus (main clause) plus the instrumental suffix -ga, meaning “with.” In practice, a põhilausga construction centers on a single main clause, to which subordinate clauses may be attached or with which other clauses are coordinated.

Function and structure: The main clause carries the core assertion of the sentence and can often stand alone as a complete sentence. Subordinate clauses provide additional information such as time, condition, reason, or concession. In a põhilausga construction, the main clause acts as the backbone of the sentence, while subordinate clauses modify or extend its meaning. Punctuation typically reflects this relationship, with subordinate clauses separated by a comma from the main clause.

Examples:

- Ma tulen, kui buss hilineb. (I will come if the bus is late.)

- Me lähme koju, kui vihm lakkab. (We go home when the rain stops.)

- Ta naerab, kuigi ta on väsinud. (He/she laughs, although he/she is tired.)

Usage and scope: The concept of põhilausga is used in linguistic descriptions and language teaching to distinguish sentences that are organized around a central main clause from those that consist solely of linked or coordinated clauses without a single dominant core. It helps analysts describe how subordinate information is integrated into the primary proposition and how meaning is structured in Estonian complex sentences.