Verbs - Estonian Grammar

Verb exercises in Estonian grammar play a crucial role in mastering the language. As is the case with most languages, verbs in Estonian are the backbone of sentences as they convey action, occurrence, or state of being.

However, Estonian verb conjugation can be a challenge for learners owing to its various forms. There are over 14 tense-aspect-mood combinations in Estonian verb conjugation, such as present, past, conditional, jussive, and quotative.

One of the crucial exercises involves understanding personal verb forms in terms of subject-verb agreement. In Estonian, the verb’s form changes according to the person (first, second, third) and number (singular, plural).

Exercises focusing on the main classes of verbs, i.e., the -ma and -da verbs, are imperative. The students engage in exercises that involve transforming -ma verbs to -da verbs in different tenses. For instance, lugema (to read) becomes loeb in third-person singular present.

Moreover, imperative mood exercises, dealing with the command form of the verb, are beneficial for everyday communication.

Students also undertake exercises on verb usage with different particles to express subtle nuances, such as necessity and obligation. Practicing these exercises diligently ensures a good grasp of Estonian verb usage, fostering fluency and proficiency in this beautiful Finno-Ugric language.