Yleisinfinitiivejä

Yleisinfinitiivejä is a grammatical term used in the Finnish language to denote a particular form of the infinitive that appears in subordinate clauses and as complements of certain verbs, adjectives, and prepositions. In contrast to the "perusinfinitiivi" (basic infinitive), which is used as a nominalized form of a verb (e.g., "kirjoittaa"), the yleisinfinitiivi functions more like a non‑finite clause and often carries an implied subject. It is typically expressed by the infinitive ending -a or -ä and is usually preceded by a link verb such as "halua", "päättää", or "voida". For example, in the sentence "Haluan oppia", the word "oppia" is a yleisinfinitiivi that is understood to be performed by the subject of the main clause.

Yleisinfinitiivejä can also appear after certain adverbs and prepositions such as "luultavasti" or "ilman", forming clauses that specify manner or condition (e.g., "Ilman nähdä", meaning "without seeing"). The form retains the infinitive morphology but is syntactically integrated into a larger clause, often with an implied subject or object that is specified elsewhere.

The use of yleisinfinitiivejä is widespread in both spoken and written Finnish, providing a concise way to link actions to the main clause without making them fully finite. It is an important element of Finnish grammar, especially in contexts requiring subordinate clauses of purpose, permission, or potential.