otettaessa

Otettaessa is a Finnish verb form derived from the verb ottaa (to take). It is the present passive converb of the verb and is used to introduce a subordinate clause that expresses circumstance or time. In practice, otettaessa conveys a sense of “when being taken” or more naturally “taking into account” or “upon taking,” depending on the context. It is most common in formal, written Finnish, such as legal texts, guidelines, and official decisions.

Morphology and usage

Otettaessa is formed from the passive voice of the verb and functions like an adverbial clause marker. The construction does not require an explicit subject; the action is understood to be general or impersonal. It often appears at the beginning of a sentence, followed by a main clause. The form is related to other converbs in Finnish, such as active ottaessa (“while taking”) and other passive or participial forms, and it tends to be chosen for stylistic or formal emphasis.

Common meanings

- Taking into account

- Upon taking

- While being taken or when taken (in a passive sense)

Examples

- Otettaessa huomioon kaikki seikat, päätös voidaan katsoa oikeudenmukaiseksi. (Taking all factors into account, the decision can be considered fair.)

- Otettaessa huomioon aikataulumuutokset, projektin suunnitelma täytyy päivittää. (Taking into account the schedule changes, the project plan must be updated.)

Notes

Otettaessa is less common in everyday spoken Finnish, where clauses are typically expressed with conjunctions such as kun or kun otetaan huomioon. The term is a standard element of formal Finnish grammar and is useful for understanding official texts and precise written style.

---