Tutkiessani

Tutkiessani is a Finnish non-finite verb form built from the verb tutkia, meaning to investigate or examine. It functions as a present active participle construction that expresses a concurrent action performed by the speaker. In practice, tutkiessani translates to “while I was examining” or “in my examining,” depending on the surrounding context and tense of the main clause.

Grammatically, tutkiessani combines the verb stem tutki- with the present participle suffix -ess- and the possessive suffix -ni, which marks the subject as minä (I). This subtype of participle is used to introduce a subordinate clause that sets the temporal frame for the main clause. Other person and number forms exist, such as tutkiessaan (he was examining), tutkiessamme (when we were examining), and tutkiessanne (you pl. were examining).

Usage and function: tutkiessani is common in narrative prose, field notes, and scholarly writing to convey ongoing activity by the author at the time of another action. It provides a concise way to link actions and to imply authenticity and immediacy. It is not a standalone noun; rather, it is a verb form that creates a dependent clause.

Example: Tutkiessani aineistoa huomasin virheen, joka vaikutti tuloksiin. (While I was examining the material, I noticed an error that affected the results.)

In translation, tutkiessani is often rendered as “while I was examining” or “in my examination,” depending on tense and nuance. The construction enriches style by signaling simultaneity and personal involvement in the action.