harkitsevat

Harkitsevat is the third person plural present tense form of the Finnish verb harkita, meaning to consider or deliberate. It denotes the act of weighing options, reflecting on possible choices, and is commonly used to describe careful decision-making.

Etymology and form: The verb harkita is related to the noun harkinta, which means deliberation or consideration. The present tense plural ending -vat marks the subject as they, yielding harkitsevat = they consider / they are considering. The form can also function as a present active participle in descriptive contexts, referring to people or groups that are considering something.

Usage and nuance: Harkitsevat is used in neutral to formal language, especially in contexts involving planning, evaluation, or decision-making. It often appears in administrative, academic, or journalistic prose. It conveys a deliberate, evaluative process rather than a spontaneous or impulsive thought.

Examples:

- He harkitsevat kaikkia vaihtoehtoja ennen lopullisen päätöksen tekemistä.

- Päätöksentekijät harkitsevat seurauksia ja riskejä.

Related terms: Synonyms include pohtia, miettiä, punnita, and arvioida, each carrying subtle shades of deliberation, contemplation, or assessment. The noun form harkinta expresses the act or process of deliberating.

See also: harkita, harkinta, pohtia, punnita.