Overgaat

Overgaat is the third-person singular present tense form of the Dutch verb overgaan. Overgaan is a compound verb formed from the preposition over- and gaan (to go) and it conveys movement across a boundary or a change of state. The word is used across several semantic domains in Dutch.

Common meanings include:

- Overflow: when liquid passes beyond a boundary. Example: Het water gaat over. (The water overflows.)

- Transfer or passage of ownership or rights: the property or title passes to another party. Example: Het eigendom gaat over op de erfgenamen. (The ownership passes to the heirs.)

- Change of belief or status: transitioning to a different condition or affiliation. Example: Veel mensen gaan over naar een andere religie. (Many people convert to another religion.)

- Legislative or procedural process: a proposal or bill moves through a body or into effect. Example: Het voorstel gaat volgende week in behandeling. (The proposal will be considered next week.)

Grammatical notes:

- Overgaan is a finite verb with een particle prefix over; in present tense the prefix often appears as two elements: gaat over (the form overgaat is used for he/she/it). In the perfect tense it forms with zijn: is overgegaan.

- The core senses extend metaphorically to transitions, such as changing states, conditions, or affiliations.

See also:

- Overgaan (werkwoord) for broader discussion of the verb and its forms.

- Doorgaan and Overdragen as related Dutch verbs describing continuation and transfer.