alulause

Alulause is a term in Finnish grammar that designates a subordinate clause—the part of a sentence that cannot stand alone and depends on a main clause for its full meaning. It is contrasted with the päälause, or main clause. The concept is used to describe how ideas are connected and how additional information is embedded within sentences. The word alulause combines the Finnish prefix al- (subordinate) with lause (clause).

Subordinate clauses fulfill several functions: they can act as adverbial clauses expressing time, reason, condition, manner, or place; they can function as noun clauses serving as subjects, objects, or complements; and they can be relative clauses modifying a noun. In Finnish, a subordinate clause is typically introduced by a conjunction or a relative pronoun and forms a dependent unit with the main clause.

Typical markers include conjunctions such as että (that), kun (when), jos (if), koska (because), vaikka (although), and jotta (so that); and relative pronouns like joka, jonka, jota. In Finnish, word order is relatively flexible, but the subordinating clause usually attaches to the main clause in a way that preserves the intended emphasis and meaning.

Examples:

- Kun sain palkkani, ostin uuden pyörän. (When I got my salary, I bought a new bike.)

- Uskon, että hän tulee. (I believe that he is coming.)

- Talo, jonka pihalla on suuri puu, on sininen. (The house whose yard has a large tree is blue.)