välttämään

Välttämään is a Finnish verb form that means “to avoid.” It is derived from the verb välttää (to avoid) and is the infinitive variant in the -mään/-maan group used for non-finite clauses. In Finnish, this form typically appears in contexts where the action of avoiding is described as a purpose, intention, or condition rather than as a standalone predicate.

Usage and function

The -mään/-maan infinitive, including välttämään, is used to express purpose or intent in non-finite clauses and to link actions without assigning tense to the non-finite verb itself. It often occurs in formal or written language, in clauses that describe what should be done in order to prevent something or to achieve a safer or more desirable outcome. The time reference of avoidance is provided by the main verb or context rather than by the infinitive form itself.

Related forms and notes

The commonly used noun form for the concept of avoidance is välttäminen (the avoidance). The plain dictionary form välttää is the finite form used when the action is the main predicate. The -mään/-maan infinitive family, including välttämään, is one part of Finnish non-finite verb morphology and is closely related to other purpose- or result-driven infinitives and participles found in the language.

See also

Välttää (to avoid), välttäminen (the avoidance).