The Object.

The object, like the subject, can be either total or partial. It is regarded as total when the whole of the object is represented as affected by the action of a transitive verb, and partial when only a part of it is affected by such action. Thus in mies ampui linnut, the man shot the birds, the object is total; but in mies ampui lintuja, the man shot some birds, it is partial, because in the first case no birds are thought of except those shot, who all come under the action of the verb, whereas in the second there is a vague reference to all existing birds, of which some only have been shot. Further, the object is regarded as partial whenever the action of the verb is continuous or incomplete, because the action is, so to speak, extending over the object, but has not yet embraced the whole of it. Thus, in minä kirjoitan kirjettä, I am writing a letter, the object is regarded as partial; but in minä olen kirjoittanut kirjeen, I have written a letter, it is total. The object of a negative verb is always in the partitive.

The object may be put—

By accusative is meant that case which corresponds in the singular with the genitive, and in the plural with the nominative.

I. The total object of an active finite verb, in any mood but the imperative, is put in the accusative, unless it is a cardinal number.

Hän myi hevosen, he sold the horse. Veljeni panee rahat taskuun, my brother puts the money in his pocket. Ammuin pyyt metsässä, I shot the partridges in the wood; but ammuin viisi pyytä, I shot five partridges.

II. The Object is put in the partitive if it is partial, whatever the verb may be. From what has been said above it will be seen that this implies that the partitive must be used:—

(1) When the object is strictly speaking partial and denotes a part of something, not a whole. Antakaa minulle maitoa, teetä, etc., give me some milk, some tea, etc. Hän söi leipää ja voita, he ate some bread and butter. Isä antoi rahaa pojalle, the father gave the boy some money.