Necessity Participle -tinas
Must-Be-Done Participle in -tinas
-tinas means that should be done: skaitytina knyga (a book worth reading), nevartotinas žodis (a word that should not be used).
How It Works
1. How to make it. Take the infinitive stem and add -tinas (masculine) or -tina (feminine):
- skaityti → skaitytinas (that should be read)
- vartoti → vartotinas, with ne-: nevartotinas (not to be used)
- sekti → sektinas (worth following), pagirti → pagirtinas (praiseworthy)
It declines like an adjective: skaitytinų knygų sąrašas (a list of books worth reading).
2. Describing a noun. Tai sektinas pavyzdys (That is an example to follow). Jo elgesys pagirtinas (His behaviour deserves praise).
3. Sentences with no subject. The neuter -tina introduces a comment in formal writing, like the impersonal passive: Pažymėtina, kad kainos kyla (It should be noted that prices are rising). Abejotina, ar mums pavyks (It is doubtful whether we will succeed).
4. -tinas or -mas? A -mas participle says what is being done; -tinas says what should be done. Skaitoma knyga is a book people are reading; skaitytina knyga is a book people ought to read.
5. Words that became adjectives. Some are ordinary words now: būtinas (necessary), neįtikėtinas (unbelievable).
6. Style. Productive -tinas expressions often sound formal; common words such as būtinas are also everyday. In conversation, say the same thing with reikėtų or verta: Šią knygą verta perskaityti (This book is worth reading).
Examples (6)
- Tai skaitytina knyga.
It is a book worth reading.
Skaityti → skaitytina agrees with knyga.
- Šis žodis nevartotinas.
This word should not be used.
Common in language advice. Ne- is joined to the participle.
- Pažymėtina, kad kainos kyla.
It should be noted that prices are rising.
The neuter -tina has no subject.
- Tai sektinas pavyzdys.
That is an example to follow.
Sekti → sektinas.
- Jo elgesys pagirtinas.
His behaviour deserves praise.
Pagirti → pagirtinas.
- Abejotina, ar mums pavyks.
It is doubtful whether we will succeed.
Abejoti → abejotina, neuter.
Common Mistakes
Using -mas when the meaning is should be done.
Tai skaitoma knyga, būtinai ją perskaityk.Tai skaitytina knyga, būtinai ją perskaityk.The speaker means the book is worth reading. Skaitoma knyga here describes a book being read rather than explicitly recommending it.
Using the masculine form when there is no subject.
Pažymėtinas, kad kainos kyla.Pažymėtina, kad kainos kyla.This impersonal comment has no nominative noun to agree with, so the neuter -tina is used.
Not making the participle agree with its noun.
Tai skaitytinas knyga.Tai skaitytina knyga.Knyga is feminine, so the participle takes -tina.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The -tinas participle expresses something that needs to be done and agrees with its noun.
Related Patterns
- reikėtų + infinitiveShould with Reikėtų
Reikėtų with an infinitive is the everyday way to say should.
Level 4 - verta + infinitiveWorth Doing with Verta
Verta says something is worth doing in everyday speech.
Level 4 - Present Passive Participle -masPresent Passive Participle
The -mas participle says what is being done, not what should be done.
Level 5 - Possibility With -masPassive Participles Meaning Able to Be
Another participle with a modal meaning: can be done rather than should be done.
Level 6 - Impersonal Passive: buvo nuspręsta
Pažymėtina, kad … is built like the neuter impersonal passive.
Level 5 - turėti + infinitiveMust with Turėti
Turėti with an infinitive is another way to say must.
Level 2
Practice Necessity Participle -tinas in Bubblegum
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