B1 Finnish GrammarInfinitive vs Gerund
Master Finnish infinitive forms and their uses. Finnish has multiple infinitive types (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th) each serving different grammatical functions. Learn when to use each infinitive form and how they differ from the English 'to do' vs 'doing' distinction.
1The First Infinitive (Basic Form)
The first infinitive is the dictionary form of Finnish verbs, ending in -a/-ä, -da/-dä, -ta/-tä, -la/-lä, -na/-nä, or -ra/-rä. It is used after modal verbs, with certain expressions, and to express purpose. This is the form you learn when memorizing verbs.
First Infinitive Uses
| Context | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| after modals | modal + 1st inf. | voin puhua |
| purpose | verb + 1st inf. | tulin auttamaan → tulin auttaa |
| with verbs | haluta + 1st inf. | haluan syödä |
| ability | osata + 1st inf. | osaan uida |
Examples
Haluan oppia suomea.
I want to learn Finnish.
haluta + first infinitive
Voin auttaa sinua.
I can help you.
voida + first infinitive
Hän osaa puhua viittä kieltä.
He/she can speak five languages.
osata + first infinitive
Pitää mennä nyt.
One must go now.
pitää + first infinitive
2The Third Infinitive (Action Nouns)
The third infinitive functions like an English gerund or verbal noun. Formed by adding -ma/-mä to the verb stem, it takes case endings to express different meanings: inessive (-massa/-mässä) for 'doing', elative (-masta/-mästä) for 'from doing', illative (-maan/-mään) for 'to do'.
Third Infinitive Cases
| Case | Ending | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| inessive | -massa/-mässä | in the act of | syömässä |
| elative | -masta/-mästä | from doing | syömästä |
| illative | -maan/-mään | to do (purpose) | syömään |
| adessive | -malla/-mällä | by doing | syömällä |
| abessive | -matta/-mättä | without doing | syömättä |
Examples
Olen syömässä ravintolassa.
I am eating at a restaurant.
syömässä = in the act of eating
Tulen juuri nukkumasta.
I just came from sleeping.
nukkumasta = from sleeping
Menen uimaan.
I am going swimming.
uimaan = to swim (purpose)
Opin tekemällä.
I learn by doing.
tekemällä = by doing
3The Second Infinitive (Simultaneous Action)
The second infinitive expresses simultaneous or accompanying action. The inessive form (-essa/-essä) means 'while doing' and is very common. It shows that two actions happen at the same time. The subject of both actions is usually the same.
Second Infinitive Forms
| Verb | 2nd Inf. Inessive | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| puhua | puhuessa | while speaking |
| syödä | syödessä | while eating |
| kävellä | kävellessä | while walking |
| lukea | lukiessa | while reading |
| nukkua | nukkuessa | while sleeping |
Examples
Kuuntelen musiikkia lukiessa.
I listen to music while reading.
lukiessa = while reading
Hän loukkasi jalkansa juostessa.
He/she hurt his/her leg while running.
juostessa = while running
Syödessä ei puhuta.
One does not talk while eating.
syödessä = while eating
Ajaessa pitää keskittyä.
While driving one must concentrate.
ajaessa = while driving
4Infinitive vs. Finite Verb Choices
Some Finnish verbs require specific infinitive forms, while others take finite subordinate clauses with että. Learning which construction to use is important for natural Finnish. Generally, same-subject situations prefer infinitives, while different subjects need subordinate clauses.
Verb + Infinitive Patterns
| Verb | Takes | Example |
|---|---|---|
| alkaa | 1st infinitive | Alan opiskella. |
| lopettaa | 3rd inf. inessive | Lopetin tupakoinnin. |
| jatkaa | 3rd inf. partitive | Jatkan lukemista. |
| päättää | 1st infinitive | Päätin lähteä. |
| yrittää | 1st infinitive | Yritän ymmärtää. |
Examples
Alan ymmärtää suomea.
I am beginning to understand Finnish.
alkaa + first infinitive
Lopetin tupakoinnin.
I stopped smoking.
lopettaa + verbal noun
Jatkan opiskelua huomenna.
I will continue studying tomorrow.
jatkaa + verbal noun
Yritän tehdä parhaani.
I try to do my best.
yrittää + first infinitive