ettäclauses

Että-clauses are a common feature in Finnish grammar. They are subordinate clauses introduced by the conjunction "että". The primary function of an että-clause is to express content, purpose, or consequence. Often, they can be translated into English using conjunctions like "that," "in order that," or "so that."

There are several ways että-clauses are used. They frequently follow verbs of thinking, saying, knowing, believing, or feeling, such as "tiedän että..." (I know that...), "sanoin että..." (I said that...), or "luulen että..." (I think that...). In these instances, the että-clause expresses the content of the thought, statement, or belief.

Furthermore, että-clauses can indicate purpose. For example, "Opiskelin ahkerasti että pääsisin kokeesta läpi" (I studied hard so that I could pass the exam). Here, the että-clause explains the reason or goal behind the main clause's action.

The structure of an että-clause typically involves the conjunction "että" followed by a finite verb form. The subject of the että-clause may be the same as or different from the subject of the main clause. Understanding että-clauses is crucial for comprehending and constructing complex sentences in Finnish.