võimalusena

Võimalusena is the essive form of the Estonian noun võimalus, meaning “an opportunity” or “a possibility.” In Estonian grammar, the essive form expresses a temporary state or a role, and võimalusena is used to present something as an option or as a potential path within a discussion, analysis, or plan. The construction is akin to the English phrase “as an opportunity” or “as a possibility.”

Formation and meaning: The word is formed by adding the essive suffix -na to lehet võimalus, yielding võimalusena. The essive form is commonly used in formal or analytical contexts to introduce or evaluate alternatives and to position a statement within a set of possible outcomes.

Usage: Võimalusena is frequently found in policy papers, business documents, academic writing, and journalism when enumerating or assessing options. It helps to frame a particular idea or variant as one among several possibilities. For example, a text might state: Arutelus tuli välja mitu lahendusvara, võimalusena pakutakse see variant. Here, the phrase marks the variant as a potential option to consider alongside others. In general, kasutades võimalusena, writers emphasize comparative evaluation rather than asserting a single definitive course of action.

Related terms: The base noun võimalus refers to an opportunity or possibility, while the adjective võimalik means “possible.” The essive form, including võimalusena, is part of a broader Estonian system of mood and case used to express states, roles, and functions within discourse.