passiivisemmat

Passiivisemmat is a Finnish term that translates to "more passive" or "passivized" in English. It is most commonly used in linguistics to describe a grammatical construction where the focus shifts from the agent performing an action to the recipient or object of that action. This often involves changes in verb conjugation or the use of specific particles.

In Finnish grammar, the passive voice is a key example of a "passiivisemmat" construction. Unlike in some languages where the passive voice requires a form of "to be" plus a past participle, Finnish passive verbs are formed by adding specific suffixes to the verb stem. These passive forms can be used for both singular and plural subjects.

The use of "passiivisemmat" constructions can serve several purposes. It can be employed when the agent of an action is unknown, unimportant, or deliberately omitted. For instance, "Ovi avattiin" (The door was opened) is a passive construction where the person who opened the door is not specified. This can create a sense of objectivity or generality.

Furthermore, "passiivisemmat" forms can be used to express general truths or ongoing states without attributing them to a specific actor. For example, "Täällä puhutaan suomea" (Finnish is spoken here) indicates that Finnish is a language used in that location, rather than naming individuals who speak it. The concept of passivization in Finnish grammar allows for a nuanced expression of agency and focus within sentences.