Vapauttaakseen

Vapauttaakseen is a Finnish non-finite verb form derived from vapauttaa (to liberate, release). It belongs to the so-called third infinitive (kolmas infinitiivi) and expresses the sense “in order to liberate” or “to liberate (so as to).” The form is used to indicate purpose in subordinate clauses and is more common in formal, literary, or historical Finnish than in everyday speech.

The construction typically conveys intent: a main clause introduces an action undertaken for a specific aim, and vapauttaakseen marks the purpose of that action. For example, Hän lähti vapauttaakseen vangit can be translated as “He left in order to liberate the prisoners.” In such usage, the object of vapauttaa follows the infinitive: vapauttaakseen vangit = “to liberate the prisoners.” The subject of the infinitive generally corresponds to the subject of the main clause.

Usage notes and context: Vapauttaakseen is a relatively formal or literary device. It appears in historical narratives, legal or philosophical texts, and stylistically ornate prose, rather than in colloquial spoken Finnish. Because it is a non-finite form, it does not specify a finite subject or tense; the timing and agent are inferred from the surrounding context.

Related forms include the plain infinitive vapauttaa (to liberate), the present participle vapauttaen (liberating/in order to liberate in a descriptive sense), and other non-finite forms of vapauttaa. The -akseen suffix is characteristic of the third infinitive used to express purpose in Finnish.