This article lists object verbs that are generally used with a total object. It’s a partial copy of this page, but with added information specifically about total object verbs.

I have compiled this list due to the frequent questions I get for a list of total object verbs. There are plenty of lists of partitive verbs online, but it’s hard to find any lists for verbs that usually get a genitive case object. As a second language learner myself, I understand the need to have lists to rely on.

So, while I give you this list, you should realize that – in my opinion – you should focus on learning which verbs are partitive verbs. Then, you can consider other verbs to not be partitive verbs. I think it’s partitive verbs in particular that are the problem – not these other verbs. Take the verb ehdottaa for example. This verb is a partitive verb, as you can see in the sentence “Ehdotan ratkaisua” (I suggest a solution). Once you’ve learned about the total object, you might be tempted to think “I’m suggesting one solution, the whole solution” and use the genitive case. Mistakes like that can be avoided by studying partitive verbs.

Read more about the basics of the object before you look into this article more closely.

1. Three types of object verbs

We can roughly divide object verbs into three types.

1. Verbs that usually require the partitive case

2. Verbs that usually require the genitive case

3. Verbs that can often get both a partitive and a genitive case objects

In this article, you can find lists of the two latter categories. For partitive verbs, please check this list.

2. Verbs that usually require a genitive case object

These verbs will have the genitive case when all of the following criteria are true at the same time:

1. In affirmative sentences (e.g. Laitan kirjan pöydälle). Negative sentences will get the partitive case (e.g. En laita kirjaa pöydälle).
2. When the object is a countable, complete thing. We will use the partitive case for uncountable objects (e.g. Laitan ruokaa lautaselle) and abstract objects (e.g. Laitan energiaa vain tärkeisiin asioihin).
3. When the verb is inflected in the minä, sinä, hän, me, te or he form (e.g. Me laitamme kirjan pöydälle). The basic form will be used for the imperative mood (e.g. Laita kirja pöydälle!), in necessity sentences (e.g. Minun täytyy laittaa kirja pöydälle) and passive sentences (e.g. Kirja laitetaan pöydälle).

In the following table, I’m giving both a present tense and a past tense example. In my translations, I’m using a mix of both the present tense (e.g. I give) and the future tense (e.g. I will give). The context of the actual situation should guide you in how to interpret them. Depending on the context, these sentences could also have definite and indefinite pronouns (ie. “a” and “the”).

Please note that there can always be some specific situation where verbs do not behave as is most typical for them. You will have to get more practice and exposure to Finnish to slowly learn when it is possible to deviate from the typical usage of these verbs.

3. Verbs that can often get both a partitive and a genitive case objects

Just like in the previous table, we’re dealing with examples where the following criteria are all true at the same time:

1. The sentence is affirmative.
2. The object is a countable, complete thing.
3. The verb is inflected in the minä, sinä, hän, me, te or he form.

The verbs in this section differ from the previous list because they will have a partitive case object when the action is currently happening, or will be only partially finished. If the action is completely finished, you will use the genitive case, as you can see in the table below.

I’m giving both a present tense and a past tense example. The translations are only one possible version: rather than just saying “I’m installing”, we could also say “I install” depending on the context. I decided to use “I’m x:ing” as a translation because it’s the easiest way for me to show here that the action has not been completed yet. Depending on the context, these sentences could have definite and indefinite pronouns (ie. “a” and “the”).

Please note that there can always be some specific situation where verbs do not behave as is most typical for them. You will have to get more practice and exposure to Finnish to slowly learn when it is possible to deviate from the typical usage of these verbs.

I hope this list of total object verbs is helpful. However, do remember that you’re probably going to be making more mistakes with partitive verbs than you are with these total object verbs. You should definitely read through these other articles:

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• The Finnish object
• The object for advanced learners
• So-called partitive verbs
• Accusative total object verbs

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