Reagoidakseen

Reagoidakseen is a Finnish non-finite verb form derived from reagoida, meaning to react. It is used to express purpose or circumstance in subordinate clauses and is most often found in formal or literary Finnish. The form is created by attaching the suffix -akseen to the verb stem reagoid-, yielding reagoidakseen. It can be used with an infinitive phrase to indicate why an action is taken, similar to the English expression “in order to react.”

Usage and function: Reagoidakseen serves to indicate intention or purpose within a sentence. Because of its formal character, it appears mainly in written Finnish, such as manuals, academic prose, or legal texts. In everyday speech, speakers typically prefer constructions with voidakseen reagoida or rephrasing that uses finite verbs.

Example: Hän toimi reagoidakseen nopeasti tilanteeseen.

Grammatical notes: The form itself does not carry tense. Its role is to present the action of reacting as the purpose of another action or state. The subject is usually inferred from context, and the form can appear in conjunction with auxiliary expressions that express necessity, possibility, or condition.

Related forms and variants: Other Finnish verbs also form purpose-infinitives with -akseen, creating a parallel set of expressions such as tukeakseen (to support) or suojakseen (to protect). These forms share the same function of signaling intent in non-finite clauses.

See also: Finnish grammar, non-finite verb forms, -akseen suffix.