Verbs That Take the Inessive
Ma ei kahtle selles means I don't doubt it. Some verbs always want the inessive (-s) for the thing they are about.
How It Works
Most verbs take a plain object. A few verbs instead need a word in the inessive (-s) to say what the doubt, content or charge is about. Learn them in pairs with a question word: kahtlema milleski (to doubt something).
- kahtlema milleski — to doubt something: Ma kahtlen tema aususes.
- seisnema milleski — to consist in, to lie in: Raskus seisneb selles, et ...
- veenduma milleski — to make sure of, to become convinced of: Me veendusime selles ise.
- sisalduma milleski — to be contained or included in: Hinnas sisaldub hommikusöök.
- süüdistama keda milleski — to accuse someone of something: Teda süüdistati valetamises.
- kindel milleski — sure of something: Ma olen selles kindel.
Very often the inessive word is selles (in it), followed by an et-clause that says what "it" is: Probleem seisneb selles, et aega on vähe. (The problem is that there is little time.)
The thing is often an action, so the inessive is added to a -mine noun: valetamine → valetamises, hankimine → hankimises.
With kahtlema and veenduma you can also skip selles and go straight to a clause: Ma kahtlen, kas ta tuleb. (I doubt whether he will come.) Veendu ise, et uks on lukus. (Make sure yourself that the door is locked.)
Examples (6)
- Ma ei kahtle selles.
I don't doubt it.
Word by Word: I not doubt it-in
Kahtlema takes the inessive: selles (in it).
- Probleem seisneb selles, et meil on vähe aega.
The problem is that we have little time.
Selles points forward to the et-clause.
- Ma kahtlen tema aususes.
I doubt his honesty.
Ausus (honesty) → aususes.
- Hinnas sisaldub ka hommikusöök.
Breakfast is also included in the price.
Sisalduma: the container is in the inessive (hinnas), and the thing contained is the subject.
- Isa süüdistas poega valetamises.
The father accused his son of lying.
Süüdistama takes a partitive person (poega) and an inessive charge (valetamises).
- Kas sa oled selles kindel?
Are you sure about that?
The adjective kindel also takes the inessive.
Common Mistakes
Using the elative (-st) because English says about or of.
Ma ei kahtle sellest.Ma ei kahtle selles.Rääkima (to talk) takes the elative, so learners copy it. Kahtlema takes the inessive: selles, tema aususes.
Putting the charge after süüdistama in the elative.
Ta süüdistas mind valetamisest.Ta süüdistas mind valetamises.You accuse someone "in" something in Estonian: süüdistama keda milleski.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Some verbs take the inessive.
Related Patterns
- Verbs That Take the Elative
Verbs like rääkima and hoolima that take -st instead.
Level 3 - Verbs That Take the Illative
Verbs like uskuma and armuma that take -sse.
Level 4 - Verbs That Take -ga
Verbs like harjuma and nõustuma that take -ga.
Level 4 - Verbal Noun (-mine)
The charge or content is often a -mine noun: valetamises.
Level 3 - Verbs That Change Meaning with Case
Verbs whose meaning shifts when the case of their partner changes.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice Verbs That Take the Inessive in Bubblegum
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