Yleistömuodossa

Yleistömuodossa is a term that appears in some Finnish grammars to denote the general or generic form in which a word is used to express statements about a class or category rather than about a specific instance. The word combines yleis- meaning general with muoto meaning form, and is discussed mainly in descriptive linguistics and language-teaching contexts.

Usage and function: yleistömuodossa refers to language that makes universal statements, definitions, or statements about a whole class. It is often realized with present-tense clauses that have a generic subject (such as ihmiset “people” or eläimet “animals”) or with impersonal constructions. Examples illustrating general statements include: Ihmiset tarvitsevat vettä. Linnut voivat lentää. Such forms convey broad truths or habitual patterns rather than details about particular individuals.

Relation to other terms: the concept is not universally standardized. Some grammars treat yleismuoto or perusmuoto as related notions describing broad or default forms, while others do not recognize yleistömuodossa as a distinct category. Because terminology varies between sources, the exact meaning of yleistömuodossa should be interpreted in the context of a given grammar or educational text.

Examples and notes: in practice, passages that aim to state general rules or characteristics are often described as being in yleistömuodossa. Learners may encounter the term in textbooks or university courses, where it helps distinguish general propositions from specific, situational statements.

See also: perusmuoto, yleiskieli, kielioppi. References: Finnish grammar handbooks and grammar-focused literature occasionally mention generic or general forms; consult the relevant edition for the terminology used in that tradition.