auttaamalla

Auttaamalla is a Finnish adverbial participle (gerund) formed from the verb auttaa, meaning to help. The construction expresses the means or manner by which a result is achieved, roughly equivalent to the English phrase “by helping” or “through helping.” It is commonly used to introduce a subordinate idea that explains how something happens or why something occurs.

In Finnish grammar, adverbial participles such as auttaamalla attach to the verb stem with a dedicated suffix and can appear at the beginning of a sentence or within a clause. When used at the start, the phrase is usually followed by a comma before the main clause. The form emphasizes the method or action accompanying the main event rather than presenting a separate clause with its own finite verb.

Usage and nuance: auttaamalla conveys a sense of voluntary or ongoing action that facilitates the outcome described in the main clause. It can be contrasted with other adverbial forms that express time or sequence, and it often adds a evaluative or contextual layer, highlighting cooperation, kindness, or social interaction.

Related forms include the noun auttaminen (the act of helping) and other participial forms derived from auttaa, such as auttamalla or auttanutta, which express similar ideas with different grammatical emphases or tenses. As with other Finnish participles, auttaamalla integrates smoothly into sentences without requiring a separate subordinate finite clause.

See also: auttaminen, Finnish grammar, participles, gerunds.