Without doing something (-matta / -mättä)

Doing Something "Without Doing" Something Else

To express that an action happens without doing another action (like leaving "without greeting" someone), Finnish uses the third infinitive abessive.

This form is created by taking the third infinitive marker -ma- or -mä- (which always uses the strong grade of the verb) and adding the abessive case ending -tta or -ttä.

VerbThird Infinitive BaseAbessive Form (Without X-ing)
tervehtiä (to greet)tervehtimä-tervehtimättä
sanoa (to say)sanoma-sanomatta
nukkua (to sleep)nukkuma-nukkumatta

Notice how *nukkua stays in its strong grade (kk), unlike its basic present tense form (minä nukun).*

Use this form to talk about skipped steps, careless behavior, or acting without preparation:

He left the office without greeting me.
Hän lähti toimistosta tervehtimättä minua.
It is careless to go inside without even greeting a friend.
On huolimatonta mennä sisään tervehtimättä edes ystävää.
He tried to pass the course without preparing.
Hän yritti läpäistä kurssin valmistautumatta.

It is also perfect for continuous actions completed without pausing, or decisions made without hesitation:

We drove to the city without getting lost and without stopping.
Ajoimme kaupunkiin eksymättä ja pysähtymättä.
The man drove all day without taking a break.
Mies ajoi koko päivän pitämättä taukoa.
I asked why he left without saying a word.
Kysyin, miksi hän lähti sanomatta sanaakaan.
He opened the door without knocking.
Hän avasi oven koputtamatta.
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