Muuttuessa

Muuttuessa is a Finnish non-finite verb form that functions as an adverbial participle. It expresses a temporal or conditional circumstance, roughly translating to “as it changes” or “when it changes.” It is used to link a main clause with a qualifying clause that describes a change taking place.

Formation and function: Muuttuessa is formed from the verb muuttaa or muuttua with the suffix -essa, creating an adverbial participle. The form is invariable with respect to person and number and does not mark tense; its role is to set conditions or describe concurrent change in the situation described by the main clause. The subject of the subordinate clause is usually implied from context.

Usage: The form is common in written Finnish, including formal prose and literary language, where the writer wants to emphasize a changing process affecting the main statement. It can convey simultaneous development or a conditional state and may often substitute for a subordinate clause introduced by kun (when) in more formal styles. In everyday speech, speakers often use finite verb clauses instead.

Examples:

- Tilanne muuttuu, muuttuessa entistä paremmaksi. (The situation changes as it becomes better.)

- Prosessi etenee, muuttuessa nopeammaksi. (The process progresses, becoming faster.)

Notes: Muuttuessa shares its function with other adverbial participles in Finnish, which provide background conditions or timing without creating a separate finite clause. It is one of several non-finite forms used to express cause, time, or condition within a single sentence.

See also: Finnish grammar, participles, adverbial participles.