elatiivpluraal

Elatiivpluraal, or the elative plural, is a grammatical form used in languages with a rich case system to mark origin or source for plural nouns. It denotes movement or extraction from multiple referents, such as several locations or groups, rather than from a single source. The concept is most commonly discussed in the context of Finno-Ugric languages and other languages with similar case paradigms.

Morphology and formation are language-specific. In Finnish, for example, the elative plural is formed by combining the plural stem of a noun with the elative suffix -ista/-istä. An illustrative example is taloista, which means “from the houses.” When used in a noun phrase, it can appear alongside a nominative plural noun, as in kissat taloista, meaning “the cats from the houses.” This illustrates how plurality and source are encoded together in a single phrase.

Functions and usage are primarily spatial or referential. The elatiivpluraal expresses origin from multiple items or places and can be used in literal–spatial contexts (from several locations) as well as metaphorical ones (originating from multiple sources, such as ideas or materials). It is distinct from other cases expressing location or movement toward, such as illative (into) or allative (onto).

See also: elatiivi (elative case), pluraali, Finnish grammar, case systems in Finno-Ugric languages.