Valottavat

Valottavat is the third-person plural present indicative form of the Finnish verb valottaa. Valottaa means to illuminate, to shed light on, or in a figurative sense to clarify, explain, or reveal information. Therefore valottavat translates to “they illuminate,” “they shed light on,” or “they clarify,” depending on the context. The verb can refer to physical lighting as well as to providing understanding or clarification in discussion, analysis, or reporting.

In usage, valottavat is common in journalism, academia, and public discourse when describing how new information or analysis clarifies a situation or problem. Examples include statements such as “Tutkimus valottaa syitä,” meaning “The study sheds light on the causes,” or “Uutiset valottavat tilannetta,” meaning “The news sheds light on the situation.”

Etymology and related forms: valottaa derives from valo, the word for light, with the verbal suffix -ottaa, yielding a sense of making light or making something clearer. The verb belongs to regular Finnish verb classes, with other forms including valotan (I illuminate), valotti (he/she illuminated), valottanut (having illuminated), and the passive equivalents such as valotetaan for “is illuminated.” The form valottavat is specifically the present tense used when the subject is plural.

See also: valottaa’s synonyms and related expressions for clarification or explanation include selvittää, valaista, and tuoda ilmi. In Finnish prose, valottaminen as a gerund or valottava as a present participle can be used to describe the act of shedding light on a matter.