seurataan

Seurataan is the present passive form of the Finnish verb seurata, meaning to follow or monitor. In Finnish, the passive voice allows stating an action without naming the agent, so seurataan translates roughly as “is/are followed” or “is/are being followed.” The form is commonly used with a target in the partitive, for example tilannetta seurataan (the situation is being monitored).

Usage is broad in contexts where monitoring or tracking is ongoing, such as journalism, public administration, science, and technology. Examples include Tilannetta seurataan reaaliajassa (the situation is monitored in real time), Kehitystä seurataan säännöllisesti (development is monitored regularly), and Datan turvallisuutta seurataan (data security is monitored). The passive voice emphasizes the action itself and avoids naming who performs it, contributing to a neutral or impersonal tone.

Seurataan is closely related to the noun seuranta, meaning monitoring or surveillance. Derivations include seurannan (genitive), seurannassa (in monitoring), and phrases like seurannan aikana (during monitoring). The active counterpart forms are seuraan, seuraat, seuraa, seuraamme, seuraatte, seuraavat, corresponding to “I follow,” “you follow,” “he/she/it follows,” “we follow,” “you (plural) follow,” and “they follow.” The past forms exist as well, for example seurattiin (it was followed).

Notes on nuance: because seurataan is a passive construction, it is common in impersonal or formal language, such as reports, instructions, and scientific writing. It can translate as “is being followed” or “is monitored,” depending on context.