Skutkiem

Skutkiem is the instrumental singular form of the Polish noun skutek, which means effect, consequence, or outcome. In everyday usage, skutek refers to the result produced by an action or event. The form skutkiem is primarily a grammatical variant used in predicates and certain constructions, rather than a separate lexical item.

Etymology and grammar: Skutek derives from the Slavic root skut-, with the diminutive suffix -ek, yielding skutek (the noun). The instrumental singular, skutkiem, is used in sentences where the noun functions as a predicative complement or as part of a phrase describing cause and effect. The noun’s genitive form is skutku, which appears in the common expression na skutek czegoś (as a result of something).

Usage notes: The expression na skutek is the standard way to say “as a result of” and uses the genitive. In contrast, skutkiem is used where the consequence itself plays a grammatical role in the clause, often following verbs like być (to be) or stanowić (to constitute). The meaning remains closely tied to cause and outcome, with synonyms including efekt, rezultat, and konsekwencja.

Examples:

- Na skutek pożaru szkoła została zamknięta. (As a result of the fire, the school was closed.)

- Ta decyzja była skutkiem presji opinii publicznej. (That decision was the consequence of public opinion pressure.)

- Dzięki temu doświadczeniu stałem się skutkiem moich wcześniejszych błędów. (As a result of my earlier mistakes, I gained this outcome.)

See also: skutek in general, efekty i konsekwencje (effects and consequences).