4. infinitiivi <> The 4th Infinitive
If you read the introduction page to the infinitives, you'll remember that I said that the 4th infinitive looks the same as the verb's noun form (the -minen form) but it's not the same thing. Some text books and other websites like Uusikielemme: Finnish for busy people will tell you that the 4th infinitive is the noun form of the verb. While I love that website and have used it much in my studies, this is massively incorrect. The clue's in the title "infinitive". If it's infinitive, it has to be a verb, otherwise it would be nominative. You can't have an infinitive noun, it makes no sense at all.
So how is the 4th infinitive actually used?
The truth is, it's very rarely used at all. Remember the section on the Necessive clause? I told you how to use täytyä, pitää and olla pakko. Well the 4th infinitive is yet another way of saying that. The only difference is, it's a little bit stronger, like you'd only use it if you're really trying to make a point or if you were in an argument.
Lets see some examples:
Sinun on tekeminen kotitehtäväsi! ----> You have to do your homework.
Meidän on puhuminen siitä! ----> We have to talk about it!
Like I said, this is very very rarely used. You only need to be able to recognise it. I don't recommend that you start using it.
So how is the 4th infinitive actually used?
The truth is, it's very rarely used at all. Remember the section on the Necessive clause? I told you how to use täytyä, pitää and olla pakko. Well the 4th infinitive is yet another way of saying that. The only difference is, it's a little bit stronger, like you'd only use it if you're really trying to make a point or if you were in an argument.
Lets see some examples:
Sinun on tekeminen kotitehtäväsi! ----> You have to do your homework.
Meidän on puhuminen siitä! ----> We have to talk about it!
Like I said, this is very very rarely used. You only need to be able to recognise it. I don't recommend that you start using it.
