Puolustamalla

Puolustamalla is the adverbial participle form of the Finnish verb puolustaa, meaning by defending. It is a non-finite verb form used to express means or manner in which an action is performed. In written and formal Finnish, puolustamalla can introduce a clause that explains how something is done, or indicate the method by which a result is achieved.

Formation and usage: Puolustamalla is created from the verb stem puolusta- plus the suffix -malla. It functions similarly to other adverbial participles, linking a main clause to a subordinate sense of means, often without explicit subject repetition. It can appear before or after the main clause and is commonly separated by a comma when introducing the accompanying idea. The subject of the subordinate clause is typically the same as the subject of the main clause, though Finnish allows flexibility depending on emphasis.

Examples:

- Puolustamalla oikeuksiaan hän sai tukea. (By defending his rights, he received support.)

- Keskustelussa hän osoitti päättäväisyyttään puolustamalla periaatteitaan. (In the discussion, he showed determination by defending his principles.)

Related forms and notes: Other related forms include the present participle puolustava (defending) and the noun puolustaminen (defense or the act of defending). Puolustamalla is most commonly found in descriptive, argumentative, or formal prose, where it helps denote the means or approach underlying an action.

Etymology: The form derives from the verb puolustaa, with the -malla suffix creating an instrumental, adverbial participle meaning “by defending.”