Selgub

Selgub is an Estonian verb meaning it becomes clear or it turns out. It is commonly used to introduce information that has been revealed or established by evidence, often in journalism, science, or formal writing. The expression is typically impersonal, with the subject being the neutral placeholder it, as in the phrase “Selgub, et …” which translates to “It turns out that …”.

Grammatically, selgub is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb selguma, and it belongs to the class of impersonal constructions in Estonian where the specific subject is not explicitly stated. The past tense form is selgus, used to indicate that something previously revealed or became evident, e.g., “Selgus, et uuring näitas …” (It turned out that the study showed …). Related forms include selguda (to become clear) and other inflected forms aligned with Estonian verb conjugation.

Usage considerations include a tone of reporting or discovery, rather than assertion. Selgub is often used when the speaker or writer relies on evidence, data, or new information to support a claim. It is common in academic summaries, news reporting, and explanatory texts where conclusions follow from analysis or investigation.

See also: Estonian language, impersonal verbs, reporting verbs, selguma (to become clear).