haettaessa

Haettaessa is a Finnish adverbial participle form derived from the verb hakea (to seek, to apply for) and is used to express a circumstance of time or condition, roughly translating to “when applying” or “while seeking.” It is common in formal and official Finnish, such as statutory texts, guidelines, and application instructions, but is less frequent in everyday speech. The form introduces a non-finite subordinate clause that sets the context for the action described in the main clause, with the subject often left implicit or understood from the surrounding text.

In usage, haettaessa typically appears at the beginning of a sentence to indicate the condition under which the following statement applies. It can refer to processes such as applying for funding, obtaining permits, or submitting documents. The construction is part of a broader set of adverbial participles that enable concise, formal expression of circumstances without repeating a subject.

Grammatical notes: haettaessa is a non-finite form and functions as an adverbial clause marker. It is chiefly found in written Finnish and formal communication. While it conveys straightforward timing, the exact subject of the action remains implicit and is usually deduced from the context (for example, “the applicant” or “the organization”). In everyday language, speakers may opt for more explicit phrasing, but haettaessa remains a staple in legal, administrative, and policy texts.

Examples:

- Haettaessa rahoitusta on hakemukseen liitettävä projektin kuvaus. (When applying for funding, the project description must be attached to the application.)

- Haettaessa lupaa tulee noudattaa paikallisia ohjeita. (When applying for a permit, one must follow the local instructions.)