The inessive indicates an ongoing action or process; it usually occurs
together with the verb ol/la ‘be’, and occasionally also with other verbs
expressing a state.
Ville on kirjastossa luke/ma/ssa.
Ville is in the library reading.
Veljeni on opiskele/ma/ssa Tampereella.
My brother is studying at Tampere.
Lapset ovat ulkona leikki/mä/ssä.
The children are outside playing.
Olitko jo nukku/ma/ssa kun soitin?
Were you already sleeping/asleep when I rang?
Kalle ja Pekka ovat olutta osta/ma/ssa.
Kalle and Pekka are buying some beer.
190 Finnish: An Essential Grammar
Huomenna käyn äitiäni katso/ma/ssa.
Tomorrow I’ll go and see my mother.
Istumme juuri syö/mä/ssä.
Just now we are sitting eating.
Pyykki on kuivu/ma/ssa.
The washing is drying.
