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Questions & Answers about Tarvitsen uuden verokortin.
Why are uuden and verokortin in the genitive case (ending in -n) instead of the partitive?
The verb tarvita (to need) takes a total object when you need one whole, specific thing in an affirmative sentence. This means the object gets the -n ending. If the sentence were negative ("I don't need a new tax card"), you would use the partitive case: En tarvitse uutta verokorttia.
How would I say "I probably need a new tax card" using the modal verbs from this lesson?
You can use the epistemic modal verb taitaa (to probably do something). It conjugates to match the subject, and the main verb goes into its dictionary form (1st infinitive). So, "I probably need" becomes Taidan tarvita uuden verokortin.
Tarvitsen looks quite different from its dictionary form tarvita. Why is that?
Tarvita is a Type 5 verb. These verbs end in -ita or -itä and add an -itse- stem before the personal ending. So, tarvita becomes tarvitse-, and adding the "I" ending (-n) gives us tarvitsen.
Why does the word uusi (new) become uuden here?