Question 1

Why does suurine not have the possessive suffix -en at the end like terasseineen does?

Accepted Answer

In the comitative case, modifiers like adjectives take the base comitative ending -ine, but only the main head noun receives the possessive suffix. That is why the adjective is just suurine, while the noun becomes terasseineen.

Question 2

Where does the -en at the end of terasseineen come from?

Accepted Answer

The comitative case always requires a possessive suffix on the main noun. Here, the third-person suffix meaning "its" is added. Instead of using -nsa, it uses the alternative rule: lengthen the final vowel and add -n, turning the comitative base terasseine- into terasseineen.

Question 3

Since the comitative marker -ine- always looks plural, how do we know if the house has one terrace or multiple?

Accepted Answer

You actually cannot tell from the word terasseineen alone. The comitative case uses the plural stem regardless of whether the noun is singular or plural in reality. You have to rely on context or common sense; here it is translated as plural because a spacious house often has multiple terraces.

Question 4

Could we just use the postposition kanssa to say "with its large terraces"?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you could say sen suurien terassien kanssa, but the comitative case is a much more elegant and compact way to express "equipped with its" or "accompanied by". Mastering forms like suurine terasseineen is a great way to make your written and formal Finnish sound highly proficient at the B2 level.

Avara talo suurine terasseineen on täydellinen meille.

Breakdown of Avara talo suurine terasseineen on täydellinen meille.

Questions & Answers about Avara talo suurine terasseineen on täydellinen meille.

Learn Avara talo suurine terasseineen on täydellinen meille and more in Finnish