Hergehenden

Hergehenden is a German attributive adjective form derived from the verb gehen with the prefix her-, used mainly in formal or literary contexts to mean forthcoming or upcoming when describing time periods or events. In everyday modern German, more common alternatives are kommende or bevorstehende, but hergehenden appears in legal, historical, or stylistically elevated texts.

Grammatically, hergehenden functions as an adjective and agrees with the noun it modifies. With a definite article or other determiner, the adjective carries the typical -en ending in many plural and case combinations, for example den hergehenden Monaten (dative plural) or der hergehende Monat (nominative masculine singular). In unstated contexts or with indefinite forms, the endings adapt according to standard German adjective declension.

Etymology-wise, the form combines the prefix her- with the verb gehen and has developed as an attributive descriptor to denote things that are approaching or due to occur. Its usage has declined in everyday prose but persists in more formal or historical registers, where a sense of temporally near or upcoming events is desired with a particular stylistic tone.

Usage notes indicate that, while grammatically correct, hergehenden can sound archaic or solemn to contemporary readers. Writers often opt for lighter alternatives like kommende, beabsichtigte, or bevorstehende, depending on nuance and register. It is most likely to be encountered in older legal texts, formal reports, or literary prose that aims to evoke a reverent or ceremonial mood.

See also: kommende, bevorstehende, bevorstehend.