achterwege

Achterwege is a Dutch adverb and part of a range of expressions used to indicate omission or refraining from action. In usage, it signals that something is intentionally not included, not performed, or not pursued in a discussion, text, or decision.

Etymology: The term derives from the literal components achter and weg, meaning behind or out of the way. Over time the phrase came to mean keeping something out of consideration or leaving it unexecuted, rather than a physical placement.

Usage and examples: Achterwege is common in formal writing, editorial guidelines, and policy texts. It often appears with the verb laten, forming achterwege laten, meaning to omit or refrain from doing something. Examples include: “Laat dit punt achterwege.” or “Het voorstel liet hij achterwege.” In some contexts it can stand alone in phrases like “Dat blijft achterwege,” indicating that a matter will not be addressed.

Nuances and related terms: Achterwege laten is the standard verb phrase; achterwege blijft can describe something that remains unaddressed. Related Dutch expressions include weg laten (to omit) and laten uitvoeren (to carry out). The nuance of achterwege is typically one of deliberate omission rather than accidental oversight.

See also: Laten (to let), Weglaten (to leave out), Achterwege laten (to omit). In literary or legal texts, the term often appears in guidance about scope, emphasis, or protocol, where certain items are explicitly not included.