-en

Manner Infinitive (-en)

Level 5

The Manner Infinitive (Second Infinitive Instructive) describes how someone does something or their posture while doing it. It is formed by adding -en to the second infinitive stem.

How It Works

The Second Infinitive Instructive is a specialized verb form used to express the manner of an action.

1. Formation:
Take the First Infinitive (e.g., puhua), remove the final -a/-ä, add the infinitive marker -e-, and then the instructive ending -n.

  • nukkua → nukku- + -e- + -n = nukkuen (sleeping)
  • seistä → seis- + -e- + -n = seisten (standing)

2. Phonological Rules:

  • Vowel Change: If the stem ends in -e, it changes to -i before the marker. Example: lukea → luki- + -en = lukien.
  • No Vowel Harmony: The ending is always -en. Even with front-vowel words where you might expect -än, it remains -en. Example: syöden (eating), NOT *syödän.

3. Usage Constraints:

  • Same Subject Rule: The action described by the -en form must be performed by the same subject as the main verb. You cannot say "I left the sun shining" using this form.
  • Simultaneous Action: The manner or state must occur at the exact same time as the main action.
  • Active Only: This form is restricted to active constructions and cannot be used in the passive.

4. Usage and Register:
In everyday speech, only a few 'fossilized' forms are common (hymyillen, itkien, juosten, kävellen). Using this form for other verbs sounds literary. In casual conversation, Finns usually use two verbs connected by ja (and).

5. Important Distinction:
Do not confuse this with the -malla form. Use -en for the style/manner (He sat reading) and -malla for the method/means (He learned by reading).

Examples (4)

  1. Hän poistui huoneesta vaieten.

    He left the room in silence (lit. keeping silent).

    Word by Word: He left room-from keeping-silent.

    The verb 'vaieta' (to be silent) describes the manner in which he left.

  2. Lapset ryntäsivät ulos nauraen.

    The children rushed out laughing.

    Word by Word: Children rushed out laughing.

    'Nauraen' describes the simultaneous state of the children as they performed the main action.

  3. Mies seisoi kadunkulmassa odottaen jotakin.

    The man stood on the street corner waiting for something.

    Word by Word: Man stood street-corner-at waiting something.

    'Odottaen' (waiting) describes the man's state while standing.

  4. Hän puhui hymyillen.

    She spoke smilingly.

    Word by Word: She spoke smiling.

    'Hymyillen' is one of the most common everyday uses of this pattern.

Common Mistakes

  • Applying vowel harmony to the ending.

    Hän söi itkän.
    Hän söi itkien.

    The instructive ending is always -en. It does not change to -än even if the verb has front vowels like 'itkeä'.

  • Using -en to describe a method or means to a result.

    Opin suomea lukien.
    Opin suomea lukemalla.

    Use the -malla form for the 'means' (how you achieved a result). Use -en only for the 'manner' (how you looked/acted while doing it).

  • Using the form with a different subject.

    Hän lähti ulos auringon paistaen.
    Hän lähti ulos auringon paistaessa.

    The -en form requires the same subject as the main verb. If the subject changes, you must use the temporal construction (-essa) or a separate clause.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

-enLevel 5Manner Infinitive (-en)

Learn This First

To understand the second infinitive instructive (-en), you need to be familiar with how the second infinitive stem is formed from the basic verb types. You also need to understand the instructive case (-n), which is the case ending applied to this infinitive to describe the manner in which an action is performed.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

-en