mainfinitiivi

Mainfinitiivi, often referred to as the ma-infinitiivi in Finnish grammar, is a non-finite verb form created by adding the suffix -ma or -mä to the stem of a verb. It functions as a noun-like infinitive and is used to name actions or events in a generalized sense. In some descriptive grammars it is treated as a distinct infinitive type alongside the standard infinitive forms.

Formation and morphology: The ma-infinitiivi forms by attaching -ma or -mä to the verb stem, with vowel harmony taken into account. It behaves as a non-personal, non-tensed form and can participate in noun-like positions within clauses. The exact surface shapes may vary with phonological adjustments in certain verbs, but the underlying idea is a verb-stem plus -ma/-mä construction.

Functions and usage: The main role of the ma-infinitiivi is to nominalize a verb, allowing it to function as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence, similar to a gerund in other languages. It can introduce clauses or serve as the head of a noun phrase. The form is sometimes found in more formal or literary Finnish and in linguistic descriptions, while in everyday speech other non-finite forms may be more common.

Relation to other infinitives and noun forms: Finnish has several non-finite forms, including the perusinfiniivi (the basic infinitive) and various nominalizations such as -minen. The ma-infinitiivi is distinct from these forms and its use is more restricted and variable across registers and dialects. Some grammars treat it as a theoretical tool for describing certain syntactic patterns, while others emphasize its historical and typological interest.

See also: Finnish grammar, infinitives, verbal nouns, gerund.