Tutkiessamme

Tutkiessamme is a Finnish non-finite verb form derived from the verb tutkia (to investigate). It represents the present active participle in the first person plural and is formed from the stem tutki- plus the participial marker ess- and the personal ending -amme, yielding tutkiessamme. The form is used to introduce a subordinate clause that indicates concurrent action by the subject “we,” and it expresses a sense of “as we investigate” or “in our investigation.” Because it is non-finite, the clause it introduces does not have its own finite tense; the temporal relation to the main clause is inferred from context.

In usage, tutkiessamme appears mainly in formal or scholarly writing, such as research reports, analyses, and theoretical discussions. It can convey methodological stance, background information, or justification for the main claim. For example: Tutkiessamme aiempia data, huomasimme ristiriitaisuuksia. This translates to “As we examined the previous data, we found inconsistencies.” Another example: Tutkiessamme tämän ilmiön taustatekijöitä kiinnitämme huomiota mahdollisiin virhelähteisiin. Translation: “In examining the background factors of this phenomenon, we note possible sources of error.”

There are related forms for other subjects, such as tutkiessaan (he/she investigates) and tutkiessanne (you plural examine). Tutkiessamme is predominantly used in written Finnish and is less common in everyday speech, where finite clauses or other constructions are typical. The form helps to convey a coordinated, reflective methodology within an argument or description.