koottamalla

Koottamalla is a Finnish gerund form derived from the verb koota, meaning to gather or assemble. The suffix -malla creates a gerundial participle that expresses means or method, roughly translating to by collecting or by assembling in English. It functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating how an action is performed rather than what action is performed.

Grammatical role and usage: In Finnish, koottamalla is used to introduce a clause that describes the method or means by which something is accomplished. It can appear at the beginning of a sentence or within a larger clause, linking the means to the main action. This form is common in descriptive writing, manuals, and expository prose where a process or approach is being explained.

Examples: Koottamalla tiedot eri lähteistä, voimme laatia kattavan yhteenvedon. This translates to “By collecting information from various sources, we can produce a comprehensive summary.” The construction highlights the method rather than sequencing of events, and it is flexible enough to appear in various contexts related to research, reporting, and project planning.

Relation to other forms: Koottamalla is part of a broader Finnish pattern that uses -malla/-mällä to form gerundial participles. These forms convey means or manner and are distinct from finite verb forms, continuously shaping how actions are described in prose.

See also: koota, gerundi (Finnish grammar).