Verbs That Take the Elative
See sõltub ilmast means It depends on the weather. Ma saan sinust aru means I understand you.
How It Works
Some verbs always use the elative -st for the thing they are about. English often uses another word here, or none, so learn each verb together with its case.
- huvituma (be interested in): Ma huvitun muusikast. Mind huvitab muusika (Music interests me) is just as common.
- sõltuma and olenema (depend on): See sõltub ilmast. Kõik oleneb olukorrast.
- unistama (dream of): Ta unistab oma majast.
- aru saama (understand), a particle verb: Ma saan sellest aru. Ma ei saa sinust aru. With nothing after it: Ma ei saa aru.
- loobuma (give up): Ta loobus suitsetamisest.
- hoolima (care about): Ma hoolin sinust.
Verbs of speaking also take the elative for their topic: see the elative for topics. In a question, use millest or kellest: Millest sa unistad? Millest see oleneb? Other verbs choose other cases, such as the illative or the comitative.
Examples (6)
- Ma huvitun muusikast.
I am interested in music.
Word by Word: I get-interested music-from
- See sõltub ilmast.
It depends on the weather.
Word by Word: this depends weather-from
- Ma ei saa sellest aru.
I do not understand it.
- Iga sportlane unistab olümpiavõidust.
Every athlete dreams of an Olympic win.
- Ta loobus suitsetamisest.
He gave up smoking.
suitsetamisest is a -mine noun in the elative.
- Millest see oleneb?
What does it depend on?
millest is the elative of mis.
Common Mistakes
Using a partitive object after aru saama.
Ma saan aru seda.Ma saan sellest aru.aru saama does not take a direct object. The thing you understand goes in the elative.
Translating depend on with the adessive.
See sõltub ilmal.See sõltub ilmast.sõltuma always takes the elative, even though English says on.
Using a partitive object after unistama.
Ma unistan uut autot.Ma unistan uuest autost.unistama takes the elative, and the adjective agrees with the noun: uuest autost.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Some verbs take the elative, like topics.
Related Patterns
- Elative (-st)
These verbs use the elative case for their complement.
Level 1 - Particle Verbs
aru saama is a particle verb that takes the elative.
Level 2 - Verbs That Take the Illative
Another group of verbs takes the illative instead.
Level 4 - Verbs That Take -ga
Another group of verbs takes -ga instead.
Level 4 - Verbs That Change Meaning with Case
Some verbs mean different things depending on which case follows them.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice Verbs That Take the Elative in Bubblegum
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