voimassaolevan

Voimassaolevan is a Finnish grammatical form used to refer to something that is currently in force or in effect. It is the genitive singular form of the adjective phrase voimassa oleva, which literally means “being in force” or “currently applicable.” The phrase is widely used in legal and administrative language to indicate that a rule, regulation, or decision is the one that currently applies.

In standard Finnish, the base expression is usually written as two words: voimassa oleva. The genitive singular form, as used before a noun in genitive, is typically conveyed as voimassa olevan lain (the law that is in force). For example, "voimassa olevan lain mukaan" means “according to the law that is in force.” When the adjective phrase modifies plural or different cases, the forms change accordingly, such as voimassa olevien lakien (of laws that are in force).

Usage notes:

- The two-word form voimassa oleva is the normal orthography in contemporary Finnish.

- The closed form, if encountered, is more common in certain typographical contexts or older texts and is not considered standard in everyday writing.

- The concept is central in discussions of legislation, regulations, and official directives, where distinguishing between in-force and repealed or superseded rules is important.

Etymology:

voimassa comes from voima meaning power or force and denotes being in effect; olevaa is the part of olla (to be) in its present participle form, yielding “being in force.” The combined phrase thus denotes the status of current validity.