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Questions & Answers about Onko laatikossa lasi?
Why does this sentence start with the verb "Onko" instead of the location?
You learned that existential sentences usually start with the location (like Laatikossa on lasi = There is a glass in the box). However, when we turn it into a yes/no question, the word with the question ending -ko has to jump to the very beginning of the sentence.
What does the "-ko" ending do in "Onko"?
The -ko (or -kö) is a question particle. By attaching it to the verb on (is), you turn a statement into a yes/no question. Onko literally means "Is?" or in this context, "Is there?".
Why does the word for box (laatikko) lose a 'k' in laatikossa?
This happens because of consonant gradation. When you add an ending that closes the syllable, like the inessive ending -ssa (in), the strong double -kk- softens into a weak single -k-.
Why is "lasi" in its basic form here?
In existential sentences, the thing that exists is in its basic form (the nominative case) if it is a whole, countable object. A glass is a single item, so we use lasi. If it were an uncountable substance like water, you would need the partitive case.
What happens if I change the word order to "Onko lasi laatikossa?"?