katselemalla

Katselemalla is a Finnish verbal noun (gerund) meaning “by looking” or “through looking.” It denotes the means or method by which an action is performed and is commonly used in descriptive, methodological, and instructional contexts, such as research, analysis, and writing.

Formation and function: The gerund is formed by attaching the suffix -malla (or -mällä) to a verb stem, producing a non-finite clause that functions as an adverbial phrase. Katselemalla expresses that the action is performed by looking. It belongs to a family of Finnish -malla/-mällä gerunds, such as kokeilemalla (by trying) and kuuntelemalla (by listening).

Usage: Katselemalla appears where the emphasis is on the method rather than on time or subject. It can introduce how data were gathered or how observations were made. In formal writing it is often used alongside other instrumental constructions to describe observational procedures.

Examples: Tutkimuksessa tietoja kerättiin katselemalla osallistujien käyttäytymistä. Opettaja havainnollisti ilmiötä katselemalla videotaltiointeja. Katselemalla voi usein ilmaista lisäpersoonallisen tai visuaalisen menetelmän ohuemman.

Notes: The gerund is a non-finite form and can be used at the beginning of clauses or inside sentences. It can overlap in meaning with havainnointi or tarkkailu, but carries a nuance of visual observation tiedonkeruussa.

See also: Finnish grammar, -malla suffix, gerunds, havainnointi, tarkkailu.