Mitatessaan

Mitatessaan is a non-finite verb form in Finnish derived from the verb mitata, meaning to measure. It functions as an adverbial participle that expresses that the action of measuring occurs at the same time as the action described in the main clause. In practice, mitatessaan introduces a background circumstance or setting for the main clause.

Morphology and formation: mitatessaan is formed from the verb root mitat- with the suffix -essaan, which marks a present, active, adverbial participle referring to the subject of the surrounding clause. The subject is typically understood from context and is often given in the main clause, allowing the participial phrase to describe what that subject is doing concurrently.

Usage and nuance: this participial form is common in written Finnish, especially in descriptive or narrative prose. It can convey simultaneity of actions, provide background information, or set up situational context without creating a separate finite clause. While it can replace a corresponding kun- or kunnen- clause in some sentences, it tends to produce a more concise and literary tone. It is less common in casual spoken language, where simpler subordinate clauses are usually preferred.

Example: Hän, mitatessaan huoneen korkeutta, huomasi katon olevan matala. Here, the participial phrase mitatessaan huoneen korkeutta specifies that measuring the room’s height occurred as the main event of noticing the ceiling’s low height.

See also: Finnish grammar, participles, adverbial participles, mitata.