Sagedasemaks

Sagedasemaks is an Estonian grammatical form used to describe a change toward a higher frequency of an event or phenomenon. It is formed from the adjective sagedane (frequent) in its comparative degree and is written in the translative case (-aks), which marks a change of state. In use, sagedasemaks typically appears in constructions that express that something becomes more frequent than before, especially with verbs that denote becoming or occurring.

Morphology and usage: The base word sagedane meaning frequent serves as the stem for the comparative form sagedasem, meaning more frequent. The translative suffix -aks turns the form into sagedasemaks, indicating a transition into the state of being more frequent. This form commonly appears with verbs like muutuma (to become) or in predicative clauses describing a shift in frequency, for example when reporting a trend.

Typical usage involves describing trends, statistical observations, or changing patterns. It is more common in formal or analytic writing, such as academic prose or reports, than in casual speech. In many contexts, it can be paraphrased with phrases meaning “more often” or “with greater frequency,” though these renderings may not capture the precise grammatical nuance of the translative form.

Examples:

- Kui nähtus püsib, muutub see sagedasemaks. (If the phenomenon persists, it will become more frequent.)

- Esinemise sagedus on viimasel ajal sagedasemaks muutunud. (The frequency of occurrence has recently become greater.)

See also: Estonian grammar, translative case, comparative adjectives.