alustavaa

Alustavaa is a Finnish form of the adjective alusta‑va, meaning provisional or preliminary. It is the partitive singular form used when the noun it modifies is in the partitive case or is indefinite in quantity. The base adjective alustava describes something that provides a basis or starting point, often in a figurative sense.

In practice, alustavaa is used to qualify information, estimates, plans, or other content that is not final. For example, alustavaa tietoa means some preliminary information, and alustavaa arviota means a provisional estimate. The form pattern reflects Finnish grammar, where adjectives agree with the noun in case and number. When the noun is in the nominative singular, the adjective typically appears as alustava (e.g., alustava tutkimus, a preliminary study). In other cases or numbers, the ending changes accordingly (e.g., alustavia tutkimuksia, alustavaa suunnitelmaa).

Etymologically, the word is related to alustaa, meaning to lay a foundation, giving the sense that the information or plan is foundational but not yet final. Due to its meaning, alustavaa is common in contexts such as research reports, project planning, journalism, and policy documents, where stating that something is provisional helps convey uncertainty or the need for further confirmation.