festellen

Feststellen is a German verb meaning to determine, ascertain, observe, or establish a fact. It is used when someone states that something is true based on evidence, measurement, or analysis. In everyday language it can also mean to notice or discover something. The related noun Feststellung denotes the act of determining or the finding itself and is common in formal contexts such as scientific reports or legal documents.

Etymology and grammar: Feststellen combines the root stellen (to place, to set) with the prefix fest-, and is a separable-prefix verb. In main clauses the prefix separates: Wir stellen fest. In infinitive form or with modal verbs it remains as feststellen (to determine). In perfect tenses the past participle is festgestellt, e.g., Wir haben festgestellt. In subordinate clauses the verb order places the finite verb at the end, as in Wir stellten fest, dass die Ergebnisse signifkant sind.

Usage and contexts: In science and research, festzustellen is used to indicate a conclusion drawn from data, e.g., Es lässt sich feststellen, dass die Messwerte ansteigen. In law and administration it can mean establishing facts for a decision, e.g., Der Bericht stellt fest, dass ausreichende Beweise vorliegen. In journalism and everyday speech one might say, Ich stelle fest, dass die Informationen unvollständig sind.

Synonyms and related forms: Synonymous with erkennen, ermitteln, feststellen, bzw. herausfinden. The common noun related to the act is Feststellung, and phrases such as eine Feststellung treffen (to make a finding) and Es lässt sich feststellen (it can be established) are frequently used.