Question 1

Why does the sentence start with heidän instead of he?

Accepted Answer

This is the core rule of the necessity structure you are currently learning! When expressing that someone needs to or doesn't need to do something with the verb tarvita, the subject is put into the genitive case. So, he (they) changes to heidän.

Question 2

Since the subject is plural (they), why is the negative verb ei instead of eivät?

Accepted Answer

In these special necessity sentences, the verb structure does not conjugate to match the subject. It stays frozen in the 3rd-person singular form. Therefore, it is always ei tarvitse, regardless of whether the subject is I, you, we, or they.

Question 3

Why is the word for schedule in the partitive case (aikataulua)?

Accepted Answer

The object is in the partitive case because of the verb miettiä (to think about, to ponder). Miettiä is a partitive verb, meaning its object almost always takes the partitive ending. This reflects that the action of pondering is an ongoing, continuous process rather than a completed event.

Question 4

I've also learned the verb ajatella for to think. Why use miettiä here?

Accepted Answer

Ajatella is a broad word used for having a thought, an attitude, or an opinion. Miettiä, on the other hand, means to actively ponder, consider, or try to figure something out. Because the people in the sentence are actively considering a schedule, miettiä is the most natural choice.

Heidän ei tarvitse miettiä aikataulua nyt.

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