There Is Sentences
The existential clause (eksistentiaalilause) is used to introduce new things into a conversation. It translates to 'There is...' or 'There are...' in English.
How It Works
In Finnish, word order signals whether a noun is definite (the) or indefinite (a/some) because there are no articles.
1. The Structure
The sentence follows a strict order: Location + Verb + Subject.
- Location: Usually in a local case like the inessive (-ssa/-ssä) or adessive (-lla/-llä).
- Verb: Almost always stays in the 3rd person singular (e.g., on, oli, tulee), even if the subject is plural.
- Subject: The new information appearing at the end.
2. Subject Case Rules
The case of the subject at the end depends on the type of noun and whether the sentence is positive or negative:
- Nominative: Used for a single, countable item in a positive sentence (e.g., kynä).
- Partitive: Used for mass nouns (uncountable things like maitoa), indefinite plurals (autoja), or any subject in a negative sentence.
3. Existential vs. Basic Sentences
Compare these two:
• Kirja on pöydällä. (Subject-Verb-Place) = 'The book is on the table.' (We know which book).
• Pöydällä on kirja. (Place-Verb-Subject) = 'There is a book on the table.' (New information).
Examples (5)
- Pöydällä on kirja.
There is a book on the table.
Word by Word: On the table is a book.
A standard existential sentence. The location comes first, followed by the singular verb 'on', and the singular countable subject 'kirja' is in the nominative.
- Metsässä kasvaa mustikoita.
There are blueberries growing in the forest.
Word by Word: In the forest grows blueberries.
The subject 'mustikoita' is plural and indefinite, so it is in the partitive. Notice the verb 'kasvaa' remains singular.
- Jääkaapissa ei ole maitoa.
There is no milk in the fridge.
Word by Word: In the fridge not is milk.
In negative existential sentences, the subject ('maitoa') is always in the partitive case.
- Pihalla leikkii lapsia.
There are children playing in the yard.
Word by Word: On the yard plays children.
Even though 'children' is plural, the verb 'leikkii' stays in the 3rd person singular form.
- Kadulla on autoja.
There are cars on the street.
Word by Word: On the street is cars.
This introduces 'some cars' as new information. If we said 'Autot ovat kadulla', it would mean 'The (specific) cars are on the street'.
Common Mistakes
Making the verb plural when the subject is plural.
Kadulla ovat autoja.Kadulla on autoja.When the subject is in the partitive (autoja), the existential verb stays in the 3rd person singular: on. A definite plural subject in the nominative takes ovat (Autot ovat kadulla).
Using siellä as a placeholder for English "there is".
Different MeaningSiellä on kirja pöydällä.Pöydällä on kirja.English uses "there" as a placeholder; Finnish simply starts with the location in a local case. Siellä on kirja pöydällä is possible, but siellä then means "over there".
Using the nominative case for the subject in a negative sentence.
Pöydällä ei ole kirja.Pöydällä ei ole kirjaa.In negative existential sentences, the subject must always be in the partitive case.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand existential clauses ('There is' sentences), you need to know how to use the verb 'olla' in the third person singular, how to express location using local cases, and when to use the partitive case for the subject.
- ollaThe Verb Olla (To Be)
The existential clause uses the verb 'olla' (to be) as its core verb.
Level 1 - Inside vs On Top
Existential clauses typically begin with a location, requiring knowledge of how to use local cases like the inessive or adessive.
Level 1 - Partitive for Uncountable Things
The subject of an existential clause often takes the partitive case if it is an uncountable mass noun or if the quantity is indefinite.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- Finnish Has No Articles
Existential word order is the primary way Finnish distinguishes between 'a' and 'the'.
Level 1 - Partitive Subject
This explains specifically when and why the subject at the end of these sentences takes the partitive case.
Level 2 - minulla onPossessive Clause (Minulla on)
The Finnish 'to have' construction is actually a type of existential clause ('At me is...').
Level 1 - Basic Word Order
Understanding the standard Subject-Verb-Object order helps you see how the existential order is different.
Level 1 - Partitive After Negation
Negative existential sentences always require the subject to be in the partitive case.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice There Is Sentences in Bubblegum
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