välttääksesi

Välttääksesi is a Finnish non-finite verb form derived from the verb välttää, meaning “to avoid.” The form functions as a purpose or result clause, translating roughly to “in order that you avoid” or simply “to avoid.” It is used when the subject of the main clause is the second person singular you (sinä).

Grammatically, välttääksesi is formed by attaching the suffix -ksesi to the verb stem, producing a non-finite form that introduces a dependent clause expressing purpose. It is commonly used in written guidance, manuals, and formal prose to keep sentences concise. There are related forms for other persons, such as välttäkseni (I to avoid) or other person-specific variants, which appear in parallel purpose clauses.

Usage and examples include instructions and safety notes. For instance: “Noudata ohjeita välttääksesi vahinkoja.” (“Follow the instructions to avoid damages.”) Another example is: “Päivitä ohjelmisto välttääksesi tietoturva-aukkoja.” (“Update the software to avoid security vulnerabilities.”) In everyday speech, speakers may instead use a finite clause with jotta or jotta vältät, for example: “Jotta vältät vahinkoja, seuraa ohjeita.”

In summary, välttääksesi is a purpose-forming inflection of välttää used to express the idea of avoiding something, with the subject typically implied as you in instructional or formal contexts. It complements other Finnish purpose constructions such as jotta in less formal speech.