Tarttumalla

Tarttumalla is a Finnish gerund (adverbial participle) meaning “by clinging” or “by gripping.” It is formed from the verb tarttua (to grab, to cling) by adding the suffix -malla to the stem tarttu-. The resulting non-finite form connects to a main clause to indicate manner, means, or accompanying circumstance of the action.

Etymology and form: The form derives from tarttua and uses the -malla suffix to create an adverbial participle. In sentences, tarttumalla expresses how something is done, rather than when it is done. It often appears in written or descriptive Finnish and can function similarly to the English phrase “by clinging” or “by gripping.”

Usage: Tarttumalla is used to describe the method or means by which an action occurs, and it can denote physical or metaphorical handling. It can be placed at the beginning of a clause or linked to a subsequent clause to emphasize the manner in which an event unfolds. The tense of the main verb determines the overall temporal reference, while tarttumalla itself remains non-finite.

Examples:

- Hän pelastui tarttumalla puuhun. (He saved himself by clinging to a tree.)

- Hän säilytti otteensa tarttumalla köyteen. (He maintained his grip by grabbing the rope.)

Notes: As a non-finite form, tarttumalla is most common in descriptive or narrative text and is less frequent in casual speech, where simpler constructions may be preferred. It can convey both literal and figurative “gripping” actions, depending on context.