Tõrkeabil

Tõrkeabil is a term used in Estonian grammar to describe a specific instrumental construction or phrase that denotes the means or method by which an action is performed. It is formed by attaching the postposition -abil to a nominal stem, producing a unit that functions like the English expression “with the help of” or “by means of.” In standard Estonian, many similar instrumental expressions follow the pattern [noun] + abil, such as arvutuse abil (with the help of calculation) or koostöö abil (with the help of cooperation). Tõrkeabil, as a form, illustrates how instrumental meaning can be built from a noun in combination with -abil and is commonly encountered in technical, academic, and descriptive prose.

In usage, the head noun of the construction indicates the resource, tool, or process that enables the action. The phrase is not restricted to everyday language and often appears in texts that discuss methods, procedures, or systems. When the head noun refers to a fault, disturbance, or error context, the expression may be used in specialized discussions of fault handling, error correction, or fault-tolerant design, where actions are described as being carried out “with the help of” the given means.

Etymology and grammar notes: -abil is a productive instrumental suffix in Estonian, and such forms attach to nouns to mark instrumentality. Tõrkeabil thus serves as an example of how the suffix interacts with a noun to convey means in formal or technical writing.

See also: Estonian grammar, instrumental constructions, postpositions.