Questions & Answers about Minä teen työn itse.
Why is the word for work työn instead of just työ?
työn is the object of the sentence. When you complete an action on a single thing, regular nouns get an -n ending to show they are the object (this is the accusative case). This is the exact same grammar rule that makes personal pronouns change form when they are the object (which you are learning in this lesson!), but regular singular nouns take an -n instead of a -t.
What is the basic form of the verb teen?
The dictionary form is tehdä (to do or to make). It is a bit tricky because the -hd- in the middle completely disappears when you conjugate it for the I form, becoming teen.
Does the word itse change depending on who is doing the action?
No, itse stays exactly the same. It simply means self. Because the sentence says minä teen (I do), we know it translates to myself in English. If the sentence were hän tekee työn itse, it would mean he does the work himself.
Can I drop the word minä from this sentence?
Yes! Because the verb teen already tells us that I am doing the action, minä is optional. Keeping it in the sentence just adds a little extra emphasis, matching the strong I will do it myself feeling.
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