välttääkseen

Välttääkseen is a Finnish non-finite verb form derived from the verb välttää, meaning "to avoid." It is the third infinitive (kolmannen infinitiivin) and is used to express purpose, equivalent to the English "in order to avoid" or simply "to avoid."

As a non-finite form, välttääkseen does not change for person or number and is used together with a finite main verb to indicate the aim of the action. It often appears at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence: for example, Hän lähti aikaisin välttääkseen myöhästymisen. This shows the action performed to prevent an outcome.

Vältintyksen nearby present forms such as välttäen (avoiding) exist as other non-finite forms, but välttääkseen specifically signals purpose rather than a concurrent action. The form is formed by attaching the suffix -kseen to the verb stem, with standard vowel harmony considerations.

Usage notes:

- Välttääkseen is more common in written or formal Finnish; in everyday speech, speakers might prefer subordinate clauses introduced by jotta or other constructions to express purpose.

- It functions as an adverbial non-finite clause, modifying the main verb by indicating the motive or aim of the action.

Examples:

- Hän lähti aikaisin välttääkseen myöhästymisen.

- Välttääkseen virheitä, hän tarkasti ohjeet huolellisesti.

See also: Finnish grammar, infinitives, non-finite clauses, adverbial participles.