nominaliset

Nominaliset is a term found in some Finnish linguistic discussions to refer to nominalized forms of words—forms that originate from verbs or adjectives but function as nouns in discourse. The concept is used to describe how word formation creates noun-like units that participate in sentence structure much like base nouns do, even though their source is a different word class.

In Finnish, nominalisation is productive and familiar to speakers. The most common pattern uses the suffixes -minen or -us/-us to form deverbal or adjectival nouns. Examples include juokseminen (the act of running) and kirjoitus (the act or result of writing). Such forms can carry grammatical case endings and number, aligning with the typical behavior of nouns in Finnish syntax. Other nominal formations may arise from different suffixes or even from loanwords, creating a broader set of nominal-like items within a clause.

Nominaliset typically function as the main noun phrases in sentences. They can serve as subjects, direct or indirect objects, or complements and are often the targets of modifiers, such as adjectives or relative clauses. In linguistic analysis, nominaliset are important for understanding how argument structure, agreement, and case marking interact with noun-like forms that originate from other word classes.

Cross-linguistically, nominalisation is a widespread phenomenon, though the exact markers and grammatical properties vary. In Finnish studies, nominaliset are a key example of how languages convert action or property words into stable referential units, enabling nuanced expression of events, processes, and concepts within discourse.