Verbikonstruktsiooni
Verbikonstruktsiooni is a term used in Estonian grammar to refer to the ways in which verbs combine with other elements to form the predicate of a sentence. It covers both simple, finite verb forms and more complex periphrastic constructions that include auxiliary verbs, participles, and infinitives. The focus is on how these combinations express tense, aspect, mood, voice, negation, modality, and direction of action.
- Finite verb forms: the basic, conjugated forms that encode person and number, as in Ma loen raamatut
- Compound tenses: Estonian frequently forms perfect and pluperfect aspects with auxiliary olev- (olema) plus a past
- Passive voice: a verb can take a passive form using participial endings, for example Raamat kirjutatakse
- Non-finite constructions: infinitives (lugeda, to read) and participles participate in periphrastic patterns and attribute clauses or
- Mood and modality: verb constructions express necessity, possibility, or intention with auxiliaries and modal-like verbs, e.g.,
- Negation and word order: negation is typically marked by ei before the finite verb; Estonian word
Verbikonstruktsioonid are central to understanding Estonian syntax and meaning, as they encode temporal relations, aspectual nuance,