Overweeg

Overweeg is a Dutch verb meaning to weigh up or to consider carefully. It is used when evaluating options, consequences, or plans, often in contexts such as decision making, planning, or ethical assessment. The imperative form, used to give a direct instruction or suggestion, is Overweeg! (singular) or Overweegt! (plural).

Etymology and related forms: Overweeg derives from over- plus wegen, literally “to weigh over” or “to weigh up.” The noun overweging, meaning careful consideration or a consideration, is formed from the same root. In everyday language, phrases like in overweging nemen are common, meaning to take into consideration.

Conjugation and usage: In the present tense, the verb is conjugated as ik overweeg, jij overweegt, hij/zij/het overweegt, wij overwegen, jullie overwegen, zij overwegen. The past tense is irregular, with a typical form such as overwoog for the singular, and overwogen as the past participle, used with have/had in perfect tenses (we hebben overwogen). The verb is transitive and typically takes a direct object: “We moeten alle opties overwegen” (We must consider all options) or “De gevolgen dienen zorgvuldig te worden overwogen.”

Usage notes: Overwegen is common in formal, academic, and professional language, as well as in everyday speech when stressing thorough contemplation. It is often used with nouns like opties, gevolgen, voorstellen, of besluiten. Related expressions include in overweging nemen and een grondige overweging, meaning careful consideration.

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