Katsellakseen

Katsellakseen is the third infinitive form of the Finnish verb katsella, meaning to look or to watch. In Finnish grammar, the third infinitive is a non-finite form used to express purpose or intention, similar to the English infinitive phrase “in order to look.”

Formation and function: The form katsellakseen is created by taking the verb stem katsell- and adding the suffix -akseen. This non-finite form does not convey person, number, or tense by itself and is used together with a finite verb to indicate purpose. It commonly appears in subordinate clauses that explain why an action is performed.

Usage: Katsellakseen is most often used to indicate the purpose of an action, especially with verbs of movement, perception, or observation. For example: Hän meni ulos katsellakseen taivasta. (He went outside to look at the sky.) The construction can also appear in literary or formal writing, where non-finite clauses convey intent more succinctly than a full finite clause.

Relation to other forms: The third infinitive is one of several infinitive forms in Finnish, each serving different grammatical roles. While katsellakseen expresses purpose, other infinitives handle aspects such as general action (perusinfinitiivi) or adverbial nuance in different contexts. The form is more common in written or formal registers and is less frequent in everyday spoken Finnish.

Etymology and scope: Katsellakseen derives from katsella, itself a basic, everyday verb. The use of the third infinitive to express purpose is a standard feature of Finnish grammar, applicable across many verbs, not limited to katsella. See also kolmas infinitiivi and Finnish non-finite clauses for broader context.