puhuttelemalla

Puhuttelemalla is the ma-infinitive form of the Finnish verb puhutella, meaning to address or speak to someone. The ma-infinitive is a non-finite verb form used to express means, manner, or accompanying action, and puhuttelemalla translates roughly to “by addressing (someone)” or “through addressing.”

Usage and meaning

As an adverbial clause, puhuttelemalla indicates how an action is performed or the approach taken in communication. It is commonly used with verbs of speaking, teaching, or persuading, to describe the method by which something is done. The construction is typical in formal or instructional Finnish, and it appears in written and spoken language that aims to describe technique or process.

Examples

- Kouluttaja käyttää erilaisia tekniikoita puhuttelemalla yleisöä. (The trainer uses various techniques by addressing the audience.)

- Kirjoittaja halusi välittää viestin puhuttelemalla lukijoita ystävällisesti. (The author wanted to convey the message by addressing the readers in a friendly manner.)

Relation to grammar

Puhuttelemalla is part of the broader set of ma-infinitives in Finnish, which also includes forms like kirjoittaen (by writing) or kuunnellen (by listening). These non-finite forms function as clauses that modify the main action, without introducing a new finite subject.

See also

Finnish grammar, ma-infinitive, non-finite verb forms.