Liukumalla

Liukumalla is a Finnish linguistic term describing an adverbial participle form derived from the verb liukua, meaning “to slide” or “to glide.” The form expresses means, manner, or method, and is typically translated into English as “by sliding” or “through sliding.” It is used to indicate how an action is performed in relation to the main clause.

In usage, liukumalla functions as a non-finite modifier that gives information about the instrument or technique used to carry out an action. It appears in descriptive and technical writing, including linguistic descriptions and process explanations, where the method of movement or operation is relevant to the meaning of the sentence. The construction allows the speaker or writer to add a concise, manner-based detail without creating a separate finite clause.

Formation and relation to other forms, liukumalla is formed by attaching the suffix -malla (or -mällä) to the infinitive stem of the verb liukua. This fits into a broader category of Finnish adverbial participles that indicate means or manner. While many languages use "by X" constructions, Finnish employs these participial forms to encode similar information compactly within the sentence.

Notes and context: liukumalla is primarily discussed in Finnish grammar and descriptive linguistics. Its usage is more common in formal or technical text than in everyday speech, but it remains a standard option for describing techniques, mechanical processes, or movement performed by sliding. See also Finnish adverbial participles and the verb liukua for broader grammatical context.