kokonaislause

Kokonaislause, often translated as "main clause" or "independent clause" in English linguistics, is a fundamental concept in Finnish grammar. It refers to a clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence because it contains a subject and a finite verb, and expresses a complete thought. A kokonaislause is the core building block of sentences, and it can exist independently without needing another clause to make sense.

The structure of a typical kokonaislause includes a subject, which can be a noun or pronoun, and a predicate, which is built around a finite verb. For example, in the sentence "Aurinko paistaa" (The sun is shining), "aurinko" is the subject and "paistaa" is the finite verb, forming a complete and independent thought. Finnish grammar allows for a subject to be implied, especially when it's clear from the verb's conjugation.

Kokonaislauseet can be combined with other clauses, either other kokonaislauseet or sivulauseet (subordinate clauses), to form more complex sentences. When two kokonaislauseet are joined by a coordinating conjunction like "ja" (and), "mutta" (but), or "tai" (or), they form a compound sentence. When a sivulause is attached to a kokonaislause, it often modifies a part of the main clause, providing additional information but being unable to stand alone grammatically. Understanding the concept of a kokonaislause is crucial for comprehending Finnish sentence structure and syntax.