Täisinfinitiiv

Täisinfinitiiv is a grammatical term in Estonian referring to the infinitive form of a verb that is preceded by the particle 'to'. It is analogous to the English infinitive construction, such as "to run" or "to eat". In Estonian, the täisinfinitiiv is formed by the verb stem followed by the infinitive suffix -ma, and when it functions as a full infinitive, it is introduced by the word "et". For example, the verb "lugema" (to read) in its täisinfinitiiv form would appear as "et lugema". This construction often expresses purpose or a desired action.

The täisinfinitiiv typically occurs in subordinate clauses that explain the reason for or the goal of the action in the main clause. It is important to distinguish the täisinfinitiiv from other infinitive forms in Estonian, such as the simple infinitive (e.g., lugema) which has different grammatical functions and is not preceded by "et". The use of täisinfinitiiv is a key feature of Estonian syntax, particularly in expressing complex sentence structures where purpose or intention needs to be clearly articulated. Understanding the täisinfinitiiv is crucial for mastering Estonian grammar and achieving fluency in the language.