Abessive case
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Template:Table Cases In linguistics, abessive, caritive and privative (abbreviated PRIV) are names for a grammatical case expressing the lack or absence of the marked noun. In English language, the corresponding function is expressed by the preposition without or by the suffix -less.
The name abessive is derived from Latin abesse "to be away/absent", and is especially used in reference to Finno-Ugric languages. The name caritive is derived from Latin carere "to lack", and is especially used in reference to Caucasian languages. The name privative is derived from Latin privare "to deprive".
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In Australian languages
Martuthunira
In Martuthunira, the privative case is formed with two suffixes, -wirriwa and -wirraa. What determines which suffix is used in a given situation is unclear.
| Parla-wirraa | nganarna. |
| money-PRIV | 1PL.EXC |
| We've got no money. | |
In Caucasian languages
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In Finno-Ugric languages
Finnish
In the Finnish language, the abessive case is formed with the suffix -tta or -ttä according to vowel harmony. For example:
- raha "money"
- rahatta "without money"
The abessive is rarely used in writing and even less in speech. However, it is found in certain commonly used expressions. One example is puhumatta "without speaking." Or the famous proverb, Kuka kuritta kasvaa, se kunniatta kuolee. (He who grows up without discipline dies without honour.)