The Finnish essive case (suffix -nA) has the primary semantic function of expressing non-permanent states, that is roles, functions and properties. This function is most transparent in copular clauses in which the essive case nominal can be syntactically classified as a nominal predicate (Minä olen opettaja-na ~ sairaa-na ‘I am [temporarily working as] a teacher ~ [temporarily ~ not chronically] ill’). It can also be used as a case of state-denoting predicate complements in clauses containing a non-copular predicate verb (Minä työskentelen opettaja-na ‘I am working as a teacher’), as well as a case of depictive secondary predicates (Minä juon kahvin kylmä-nä ‘I am drinking the coffee cold’). These functions are also carried out by other elements in the Finnish 14-case system, such as the inessive (-ssA), adessive (-llA), and translative (-ksi), as well as other grammatical elements, such as the adverbial marker denoting manner (-sti) and some infinite verb affixes used in converb structures.

In this study, I shall describe these similar or overlapping uses of the essive case and other elements from the viewpoint of cognitive grammar, particularly concentrating on semantic border zones and the conceptual description of them (see Janda 1993; 2004).