Tarvitsemalla

Tarvitsemalla is the instrumental gerund form of the Finnish verb tarvita, meaning to need. It forms an adverbial non-finite clause that expresses means, method, or condition under which something is done. The suffix -malla denotes instrumentality, and the form is used similarly to the English by doing something or by using something, depending on context. Because tarvita typically requires a partitive object, the gerund phrase effectively highlights what is needed or relied upon in order to carry out an action. In practice, tarvitsemalla is common in formal writing, such as essays, policy texts, or linguistic explanations; it is less frequent in everyday speech, where speakers may prefer verbs like käyttää (to use) or tehdä (to do) to convey the idea more directly.

Examples:

- Tarvitsemalla oikeita välineitä työ voidaan suorittaa turvallisesti.

- Tarvitsemalla enemmän tietoa voimme tehdä luotettavammat johtopäätökset.

Usage notes:

The construction typically has a clear subject in the main clause, and the gerund can precede or follow the main clause depending on emphasis. In many contexts, using the instrumental gerund of tarvita can sound formal, and in ordinary prose it is often clearer to recast the idea with käyttämällä (by using) or tekemällä (by doing) instead of tarvita. The form is most productive in explanations of prerequisites, conditions, or methodological descriptions, rather than in casual dialogue.