B1 Finnish GrammarDouble Infinitive Construction
Master Finnish verb chain constructions where multiple infinitives work together. Learn how auxiliary verbs combine with main verbs in complex sentences, understand the different infinitive forms, and express ability, necessity, and permission in the past.
1Verb Chains with Auxiliary Verbs
Finnish uses verb chains where the auxiliary verb is conjugated and the main verb appears in an infinitive form. Common auxiliaries include voida (can), täytyä (must), saada (may), and haluta (want). In the perfect tense, the auxiliary uses 'olla' + past participle, while the main verb stays as infinitive.
Perfect Tense with Modal Verbs
| Auxiliary | Perfect Form | + Infinitive |
|---|---|---|
| voida (can) | on voinut | on voinut tehdä |
| täytyä (must) | on täytynyt | on täytynyt mennä |
| saada (may) | on saanut | on saanut tulla |
| haluta (want) | on halunnut | on halunnut nähdä |
Examples
En ole voinut tulla.
I have not been able to come.
negative perfect + infinitive
Hän on halunnut oppia suomea.
He/She has wanted to learn Finnish.
halunnut + 1st infinitive
Minun on täytynyt odottaa.
I have had to wait.
täytyä uses genitive subject
He ovat saaneet jäädä kotiin.
They have been allowed to stay home.
permission in perfect
2The Three Infinitive Forms
Finnish has three main infinitive forms. The 1st infinitive (-a/-ä) is the basic form used with most auxiliaries. The 2nd infinitive (-essa/-essä) expresses 'while doing'. The 3rd infinitive (-massa/-mässä, -maan/-mään) indicates direction or ongoing action. Choose based on the auxiliary verb and meaning.
Infinitive Forms
| Form | Ending | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st infinitive | -a/-ä, -da/-dä | basic, with modals | tehdä, syödä |
| 2nd inessive | -essa/-essä | while doing | tehdessä |
| 3rd illative | -maan/-mään | going to do | tekemään |
| 3rd inessive | -massa/-mässä | in the process of | tekemässä |
Examples
Haluan oppia puhumaan suomea.
I want to learn to speak Finnish.
1st inf + 3rd inf illative
Olin syömässä kun hän soitti.
I was eating when he/she called.
3rd inf inessive = ongoing
Kirjaa lukiessani opin paljon.
While reading the book, I learned a lot.
2nd inf inessive
Menen uimaan järveen.
I am going to swim in the lake.
3rd inf illative = purpose
3Past Perfect with Verb Chains
The past perfect (pluperfect) uses 'oli' instead of 'on'. This expresses ability, necessity, or desire that existed before another past event. The structure is: subject + oli + past participle of auxiliary + infinitive of main verb.
Pluperfect Modal Constructions
| Structure | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| oli voinut + inf | Hän oli voinut tehdä | He had been able to do |
| oli täytynyt + inf | Oli täytynyt mennä | Had had to go |
| oli halunnut + inf | Olin halunnut tulla | I had wanted to come |
| oli saanut + inf | Hän oli saanut jäädä | He had been allowed to stay |
Examples
Olin voinut auttaa, jos olisit kysynyt.
I could have helped if you had asked.
conditional in past
Hän oli halunnut jäädä, mutta hänen piti lähteä.
He had wanted to stay, but he had to leave.
contrasting desires
Emme olleet voineet ymmärtää sitä.
We had not been able to understand it.
negative pluperfect
Minun oli täytynyt tehdä se yksin.
I had had to do it alone.
necessity in past
4Common Verb Chain Patterns
Certain verb combinations are very common in Finnish. Learn these patterns: alkaa + infinitive (begin to), lopettaa + infinitive (stop), yrittää + infinitive (try to), osata + infinitive (know how to). These create natural-sounding Finnish sentences.
Common Verb + Infinitive Patterns
| Verb | Meaning | Perfect Example |
|---|---|---|
| alkaa | begin to | on alkanut oppia |
| lopettaa | stop doing | on lopettanut tupakoinnin |
| yrittää | try to | on yrittänyt ymmärtää |
| osata | know how to | on osannut tehdä |
Examples
Olen alkanut ymmärtää suomea paremmin.
I have begun to understand Finnish better.
alkaa + 1st infinitive
Hän on yrittänyt soittaa sinulle.
He/She has tried to call you.
yrittää in perfect
Oletko osannut ratkaista ongelman?
Have you been able to solve the problem?
osata = know how
Olen lopettanut tupakoimasta.
I have stopped smoking.
lopettaa + 3rd inf elative