liukumaan

Liukumaan is the ma-infinitive form of the Finnish verb liukua, meaning to slide or glide. The ma-infinitive is a non-finite verb form used in various constructions to express an action without a finite subject. It is formed by adding the suffix -maan (or -mään, depending on vowel harmony) to the verb stem, producing liukumaan.

Usage and function: The ma-infinitive often appears in non-finite clauses with auxiliary or modal-like verbs or after verbs of movement or intention, to describe an action that someone is going to perform or is in the process of performing. It can function as a complement describing the intended or ongoing action. For example, in a sentence such as “Hän lähti liukumaan alas mäkeä,” the phrase conveys the idea of starting to slide down the hill. In literary or formal Finnish, the ma-infinitive can also express purpose or subsequent action, paralleling certain English infinitive uses.

Relation to other forms: The liukumaan form cannot serve as the main finite predicate of a standalone sentence; a finite verb is required to provide tense and agreement. In everyday speech, the bare infinitive liukua is often sufficient, while liukumaan appears primarily in non-finite constructions that express intention, progression, or purpose within a larger sentence.

Etymology and scope: Liukumaan derives from liukua (to slide) and the Finnish ma-infinitive pattern, which is common across many verbs. It is used across registers, though more frequent in written or careful speech, and in descriptive or instructional text that relies on non-finite clauses.

See also: Finnish grammar, ma-infinitive, liukua.