Entschloss

Entschloss is the simple past (Präteritum) form of the German verb sich entschließen, meaning to resolve to do something or to make up one’s mind to act. It appears in sentences such as Er entschloss sich, das Angebot anzunehmen. Its corresponding perfect form is hat sich entschlossen, used in modern writing and speech to express a completed decision.

Etymology and form: sich entschließen consists of the prefix ent- with schließen (to close or conclude) plus the reflexive pronoun sich. The past tense form entschloss (Er entschloss sich) is the standard Präteritum. The past participle is entschlossen, and in the present perfect one says er hat sich entschlossen. The verb belongs to a group of verbs with the ent- prefix that often convey the sense of coming to a conclusion or making a deliberate choice. The noun Entschluss (capitalized) means a decision or determination, closely related in meaning but used as a different part of speech. The adjective entschlossen means determined or resolute.

Usage notes: Entschloss is primarily literary or formal; in everyday language speakers more commonly use the present perfect (hat sich entschlossen) or the phrase Ich habe mich entschlossen, ... to indicate a decision. The adjective form entschlossen should not be confused with the verb form; they are related but function differently in a sentence. Related terms include Entschluss, sich entscheiden, und entschlossen (adjective).

See also: Entschluss; entschlossen; sich entscheiden; Deutsch grammar on verb prefixes with ent-.