The passive potential negative (ei -tane)

Use the negative passive potential to say that something probably won't be done, or is unlikely to happen. You will frequently see this in official contexts, like news about canceled infrastructure projects.

Forming the Negative Passive Potential

To form the negative passive potential, use the negative word ei followed by the passive potential verb stem.

The marker for this stem is -ttane / -ttäne or -tane / -täne. It is exactly the same as the affirmative form (e.g., rakennettaneen), just without the final -en.

The easiest way to construct it is to start with the passive past participle (e.g., rakennettu), remove the final -u or -y, and add -ane or -äne:

  • rakennettu (built) → rakennett-
    • -ane → ei rakennettane
The new highway is unlikely to be built.
Uutta moottoritietä ei rakennettane.
  • jatkettu (extended) → jatkett-
    • -ane → ei jatkettane
The tramway is unlikely to be extended to the south.
Raitiotietä ei jatkettane etelään.
  • aloitettu (started) → aloitett-
    • -ane → ei aloitettane
The project's funding is uncertain, so it probably won't be started.
Hankkeen rahoitus on epävarma, joten sitä ei aloitettane.

Vowel Harmony

As always, apply vowel harmony: if the word contains front vowels (ä, ö, y) or only neutral vowels (e, i), use the ending -äne instead of -ane.

  • hyväksytty (approved) → hyväksytt-
    • -äne → ei hyväksyttäne
This city plan, however, probably won't be approved.
Tätä asemakaavaa ei kuitenkaan hyväksyttäne.
  • tehty (made) → teht-
    • -äne → ei tehtäne
The decision probably won't be made today.
Päätöstä ei tehtäne tänään.

Discussing Canceled Projects

This form is extremely common when discussing funding, costs, and projects that are unprofitable or shelved.

The costs are too high, and the contract probably won't be continued.
Kustannukset ovat liian suuret, ja urakkaa ei jatkettane.
The proposal is unprofitable, so it probably won't be realized.
Ehdotus on kannattamaton, joten sitä ei toteutettane.
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