Past tense for verb type 5 (-itsi-)

Verb Type 5 infinitives end in -ita/-itä (like tarvita or valita).

To form the past tense, use the marker -itsi-. Because the present tense stem for this verb type already contains -itse-, you simply change the final -e- to an -i-:

1. Start with the present tense stem (e.g., tarvitse-).
2. Change the final vowel to -i- to make the past stem (e.g., tarvitsi-).
3. Add your personal ending (e.g., -n).

Take tarvita (to need):

• Present stem: tarvitse-
• Past stem: tarvitsi-
• Past form: tarvitsin (I needed)

For the third-person singular (hän, se), remember that the present tense doubles the final vowel (hän tarvitsee). In the past tense, you simply stop at the -itsi marker. There is no personal ending or vowel doubling in the past tense.

Here are some examples of Verb Type 5 in the past tense, applied to common IT scenarios: