Formodede

Formodede is a Danish term that functions as an adjective or past participle derived from the verb formode, meaning to suppose or assume. It translates to “alleged,” “supposed,” or “presumed,” and is used to indicate that a statement or attribute is believed or claimed but not proven.

Etymology and form: The word is formed from formode with the common Danish participial ending -de to create a descriptive form. When used in front of a noun, it agrees with the noun in number and, in standard Danish, can take forms like formodet (neuter singular) or formodede (plural or feminine plural). In practice, formodede is widely used in plural definite phrases such as “de formodede gerningsmænd” (the alleged perpetrators).

Usage: In journalism, law, and public discourse, formodede is employed to convey conjecture from sources rather than established fact. It does not assert the truth of the claim; instead, it marks the claim as unproven. The term is analogous to the English “alleged” and is often preferred when reporting about suspects, claims, or contested events.

Examples: “De formodede gerningsmænd blev identificeret af vidnerne.” (The alleged perpetrators were identified by the witnesses.) “Ifølge formodede beviser forelå der mistanke.” (According to alleged evidence, there was suspicion.)

See also: Alleged, Formode (the verb).