vertailukohtaan

Vertailukohtaan is the illative form of the Finnish noun vertailukohta, which means a reference point or point of comparison. The term is used in analytical and scientific writing to indicate the target or basis for comparison in a given assessment or discussion.

Grammatically, vertailukohta is a compound noun formed from vertailu (comparison) and kohta (point). The illative case, marked by the ending -aan, signals direction toward a concept rather than a physical place, yielding vertailukohtaan as “to the reference point.” It is commonly paired with phrases such as vertailukohtaan nähden (in relation to the reference point), vertailukohtaan verrattuna (compared to the reference point), and vertailukohtaan perustuen (based on the reference point). These constructions help frame analysis, benchmarking, or evaluation against a defined standard.

Usage tends to be most frequent in academic, statistical, linguistic, or research contexts where a baseline or standard is explicitly defined. It is less common in casual speech, where simpler expressions like verrattuna or suhteessa are often used. The term functions to anchor interpretations, ensure transparency about the comparison standard, and facilitate precise reporting of differences or similarities relative to the chosen reference point.

Examples include: “Tutkimuksessa tulokset esitettiin vertailukohtaan nähden” and “Tulokset ovat korkeammat vertailukohtaan verrattuna.” In practice, vertailukohta-aineiston or vertailukohta-perusteinen lähestymistapa may be used to describe the framework or data selected as the basis for comparison.