Valgessaan

Valgessaan is a term used in discussions of Finnish grammar to denote an adverbial participle form that would express simultaneous action with the main clause, roughly corresponding to “as he was choosing” or “while he chose.” The form is not standard in contemporary Finnish; it is described in some grammars as a historical or dialectal variant of the verb valita, meaning “to choose.” Its exact status varies by source, and many grammars treat it as archaic or hypothetical rather than a productive form in modern language.

Morphology and function: In the concept description, valgessaan would be formed from a verb stem of valita with a suffix designed to mark simultaneity and a third-person subject. In practice, Finnish typically conveys simultaneity with other adverbial constructions or with subordinate clauses (for example, using kun or a present participle form from related verbs). Because valgessaan is not a widely attested or standard form, it is primarily discussed as a theoretical or historical option rather than a living part of the language.

Usage in texts: When valgessaan appears in scholarly or historical notes, it is described as a device that adds temporal texture by linking two actions without a coordinating conjunction. In modern Finnish, writers would more commonly rely on subordinate clauses or other adverbial participles to express the same idea.

See also: Finnish grammar; adverbial participles; valita.