pyytääkseen

Pyytääkseen is a non-finite verb form of the Finnish verb pyytää, meaning “to ask.” It is the III infinitive (the third infinitive) and is used to express purpose or intention in relation to another verb. In English, it is often translated as “in order to ask” or “to ask for,” depending on the context.

Formation and function

The III infinitive is formed from the verb stem with the suffix -akseen (in written Finnish, a form like -akseen appears in words such as kirjoittaakseen). For pyytää, this yields pyytääkseen. This form does not carry person or tense by itself; instead, its meaning derives from its relationship to a main finite verb in the sentence. The subject of the III infinitive is typically the same as the subject of the main verb, though Finnish allows some flexibility in more complex constructions.

Usage

Pyytääkseen commonly appears in formal or literary contexts to indicate purpose. It can follow a finite verb to show why the action is undertaken, often in subordinate clauses or after verbs of movement or intention. Examples:

- Hän lähti pyytääkseen anteeksi. (He left to ask for forgiveness.)

- Hän soitti neuvoa pyytääkseen. (He called to request advice.)

In everyday speech, speakers may prefer simpler constructions, but pyytääkseen remains common in written Finnish and in formal speech.

Related forms and notes

As a non-finite form, pyytääkseen does not inflect for person or number. It is part of a broader system of Finnish infinitives that express various non-finite meanings, including purpose, result, or manner. Mastery of these forms helps in understanding more formal or historical texts as well as precise written Finnish.

See also: Finnish infinitives, non-finite verb forms, purpose constructions.