partitiivinfinitiivin

Partitiivinfinitiivi is a grammatical form in the Finnish language. It is one of the infinitive forms used to express an action or state that is ongoing, indefinite, or incomplete. Unlike other infinitive forms that might denote a completed action or a purpose, the partitiivinfinitiivi typically suggests a lack of finality or a continuous nature.

The partitiivinfinitiivi is formed by adding specific suffixes to the verb stem, with the most common ending being -massa/-mässä. For example, the verb "tulla" (to come) in its partitiivinfinitiivi form is "tulemassa" (in the process of coming or about to come). This form is often used in conjunction with auxiliary verbs like "olla" (to be) to indicate an ongoing action, similar to the present progressive tense in English, such as "Hän on tulemassa" (He is coming).

Beyond indicating ongoing actions, the partitiivinfinitiivi can also express a state or a situation that is not yet resolved or has not reached a conclusion. It can convey a sense of anticipation or a description of a process. The exact nuance depends heavily on the context in which the partitiivinfinitiivi is used. It is a fundamental aspect of Finnish verb morphology, contributing to the language's ability to express a wide range of temporal and aspectual meanings.