valitsevad

Valitsevat is a Finnish verb form meaning they choose or they elect. It is the third-person plural present indicative form of the verb valita, which means to select or to elect. The form signals that multiple subjects are performing the action in the present tense.

Grammatically, valitsevat is formed by adding the 3rd person plural present ending -vat to the stem related to valita. In Finnish, the verb valita covers both ordinary choosing and formal elections, with context determining the nuance. In political or organizational contexts, valita is commonly used to describe electing officials, representatives, or leaders.

Usage and examples:

- Kunnat valitsevat valtuutetut uudelle kaudelle. (The municipalities elect the representatives for the new term.)

- Kokoukset valitsevat johtajansa. (The meetings elect their leader.)

Related forms include valitseva, the present active participle meaning selecting or electing, which can function as an adjective, and other person-tense forms of valita (for example valitsen, valitset, valitsee). The meaning of valitsevat can thus be interpreted as either “they choose” in everyday decisions or “they elect” in formal contexts, depending on the surrounding words.

Notes:

- Valitsevat is distinct from other Finnish forms such as valitsin or valitsen, which belong to different persons or tenses.

- The word valita itself is a common root in Finnish for making selections, from everyday choices to formal elections.