Vorlegen

Vorlegen is a German verb with a separable prefix meaning to present, submit, or put forward something to someone for consideration, examination, or approval. The sense covers presenting documents, evidence, proposals, plans, or applications to a person or body such as a committee, court, or supervisor. The action typically implies bringing material forward so it can be assessed or decided upon.

Etymologically, vorlegen combines legen (to lay) with the prefix vor- (forward, in front). In usage, it is common in formal or administrative contexts: Beweismittel vorlegen (to submit evidence), Unterlagen vorlegen (to present documents), einen Antrag vorlegen (to submit a proposal), ein Konzept vorlegen (to present a concept). In legal settings one often hears Beweismittel dem Gericht vorlegen (to lay evidence before the court).

Grammatically, vorlegen is a separable-prefix verb. In the present tense you split the prefix: Ich lege das Dokument dem Vorstand vor. In subordinate clauses the verb may appear as vorlegen: dass ich die Unterlagen vorlege. The past participle is vorgelegt, and the perfect tense is formed with haben: Ich habe die Unterlagen vorgelegt. Passive usage is common in formal contexts: Die Beweise wurden dem Richter vorgelegt.

Synonyms and related verbs include einreichen (to submit officially), vorbringen (to bring up or advance a point in discussion), and darlegen (to explain in detail). Vorlegen emphasizes presenting actual items or proposals for evaluation, whereas darlegen focuses more on explanation.