Forwerpen

Forwerpen is a Dutch verb that is primarily found in older or more literary texts. It denotes the act of presenting objections or arguing against a proposal, idea, or statement. In contemporary standard Dutch, the verb is rarely used in everyday speech, and speakers more commonly use verbs like tegenwerpen, verwerpen, or bezwaar maken to express similar ideas.

Etymology and sense

The word is formed from the prefix for- (forward, against) and het werkwoord werpen (to throw). The figurative sense is to throw forward objections or arguments against something, rather than to simply reject it outright. This foregrounding of presenting counterarguments distinguishes forwerpen from related verbs that focus more on rejection or opposition.

Usage and registers

When it does appear, forwerpen tends to occur in more formal, juridical, or historical registers. It can take objects such as bezwaar (objection) or tegenargumenten (counterarguments). Because the construction is not common in modern usage, it may sound archaising or literary to many Dutch speakers.

Relation to related terms

- Verwerpen: to reject or dismiss, a stronger, more final action.

- Tegenwerpen: to oppose or counter, often used for direct rebuttal in discussion.

- Bezwaar maken (tegen iets): to raise an objection in a more neutral, contemporary phrasing.

In sum, forwerpen is a literary or historical Dutch verb meaning to present objections or oppose an proposition, distinct from the more everyday verbs used to reject or counter in current speech.