Potentiaali Preesens (Potential Present)

The Potentiaali Preesens in Finnish expresses that an action may, might, or probably happens in the present or future. It indicates possibility or probability, without certainty. It is rare in everyday speech and is more common in formal writing, journalism, or academic contexts.

Mood:

The Potentiaali Preesens uses the potential mood (potentiaali), which expresses assumption or likelihood.

• Mood: Potential (expresses probability or possibility in present or future)

Usage:

• To indicate that something is probable:
  Hän taitanee olla kotona. (He is probably at home.)
• To express cautious statements or assumptions:
  Se lienee totta. (It is probably true.)
• To talk about something that may happen in the future:
  Me lähdemme huomenna → Me lähtenemmekin huomenna. (We might leave tomorrow.)

Formation:

The Potentiaali Preesens is formed by adding the -ne- marker before the personal ending of the verb.

• For most verbs, insert -ne- before the personal ending in the stem derived from the strong grade of the verb.
• The auxiliary verb olla ("to be") is irregular and uses liene- in the potential mood.

Active Voice Example – tehdä (to do):

Person	Form
Minä	teenene → teen tehnénen (I may do)
Sinä	tehnenet
Hän	tehnee
Me	tehnenemme
Te	tehnenette
He	tehnevät

Irregular Verb – olla (to be):

Person	Form
Minä	lienen
Sinä	lienet
Hän	lienee
Me	lienemme
Te	lienette
He	lienevät

Passive Voice:

• Add the passive marker with -ne-:
  Example: tehtäneen (it is probably done)

Common Contexts:

• Newspapers, research papers, formal statements
• Avoids making absolute claims
• Similar in tone to English “probably” or “may”

Examples:

• Hän lienee oikeassa. (He is probably right.)
• Se tapahtunee ensi viikolla. (It will probably happen next week.)
• Matka kestäänee noin tunnin. (The trip will probably take about an hour.)
• Talo rakennettaneen ensi kesänä. (The house will probably be built next summer.)