Eroamalla

Eroamalla is a term used in Finnish linguistics to describe an adverbial participle form meaning “by separating” or “by differentiating.” It is formed from the verb erota/eroottaa through the standard -malla suffix that creates adverbial participles indicating means or method. The construction serves to express how an action is performed rather than who performs it or when it occurs.

In Finnish grammar, adverbial participles such as eroamalla are part of a broader class that includes other -malla forms used to indicate means, method, or manner. Eroamalla is relatively formal and may appear in academic writing, linguistic analyses, or texts discussing methodological approaches. It is less common in everyday speech, where clearer or simpler formulations are often preferred.

The use of eroamalla can add concision and nuance when explaining procedures or contrasting methods within a sequence. However, overuse can reduce clarity, and writers sometimes replace it with finite clauses or instrumental constructions such as “sen avulla” (with it) or “käyttämällä” (by using).

See also: Finnish grammar; adverbial participles; -malla constructions; erottaa.