Vertaisessa

Vertaisessa is a Finnish inessive form of the adjective vertaisa, meaning equal or similar. It is used to express a state of equality or parity in relation to something else, and it frequently appears in phrases rather than as a standalone noun.

Etymology and form: The stem verta- is connected to the broader vocabulary around equality, such as vertailla (to compare) and vertaisuus (equality). The suffix -essa marks the inessive case, yielding ver-taisa- + -ssa as ver-tais-es-sa, i.e., ver-taisessa meaning “in an equal/similar state.” This form is most common in descriptive or formal language.

Usage: Vertaisessa typically occurs in constructions that describe relationships, conditions, or evaluations where equality or parity is emphasized. Common collocations include vertaisessa suhteessa (in an equal relationship) and vertaisessa arvioinnissa (in peer or equal-standings evaluation). It is less likely to appear as a standalone noun and more often functions within larger phrases or clauses.

Examples:

- Keskustelu eteni vertaisessa suhteessa, jossa jokainen osallistuja sai äänensä kuuluviin.

- Tutkimuksessa käytettiin vertaisessa arvioinnissa kolmannen osapuolen vertaisarviointeja.

- Osallistujat olivat vertaisessa kilpailussa tasavertaisia.

See also: vertaisuus, tasa-arvo, vertaistuki, vertaisarviointi. Vertaisessa is a morphologically ordinary form in Finnish, but its meaning hinges on the surrounding context to convey equality, parity, or peer relations.