Loitottaessa

Loitottaessa is a Finnish verbal form derived from the verb loitottaa, which means to attract, lure, or enchant. The form loitottaessa is used to indicate that the action of luring is taking place simultaneously with another action, functioning similarly to the English expression “as one lures” or “while attracting.” It is most commonly found in literary, rhetorical, or formal prose and can appear in older texts as well as in some contemporary Finnish writing.

Grammatically, loitottaessa is formed from the verb loitottaa with the suffix -essa, which marks an adverbial clause of simultaneity. The verb loitottaa itself covers senses of drawing attention, enticing, or charming a person or audience. Depending on context, loitottaa can have neutral, positive, or negative nuance (for example, attracting a crowd or luring someone into a trap).

Examples:

- Loitottaessa yleisöä hän käytti tarinoita ja kuvia. (As he attracted the audience, he used stories and images.)

- Hän puhui rauhallisesti, loitottaessaan kuulijat kiinnostuksella. (He spoke calmly, enticing the listeners with interest.)

Etymology and related terms: loitottaessa is derived from loitottaa; related forms include loitotan (I lure), loitottaa (to lure), loitottava (the one who lures). The word is primarily encountered in linguistic descriptions of Finnish grammar and in contexts where precise grammatical forms are analyzed.

See also: Finnish grammar, verbal forms, participles.