förblev

Förblev is a Swedish verb form meaning to remain or stay in a state or condition. It is the preterite (simple past) form of the verb förbli, used to describe something that continued to be true or unchanged during a past time frame. The form signals continuity rather than a completed change.

Etymology and forms: Förbli derives from för- plus bli (to become), historically used to express persistence in a state. In modern Swedish, the present tense is förblir, the past tense is förblev, and the past participle is förblivit. The present perfect uses har förblivit. An archaic variant found in older texts is förblef, which is rarely used in contemporary language.

Usage notes: Förblev is common in formal writing, journalism, and historical narration, as well as in literary prose. It emphasizes that a condition persisted despite circumstances. It is often contrasted with verbs that indicate change or end of a state, such as "förändrades" or "försvann." In everyday speech, speakers may choose alternative constructions like fortsatte vara (continued to be) or kvarstod (remained) depending on nuance and style.

Examples:

- Staden förblev ostörd under natten.

- Hon förblev trogen sina principer trots motgångarna.

- Trots pressen förblev företaget stabilt.

See also: förbli, förblivit, förblir. The verb cluster is primarily used in written Swedish to convey persistence or continuity of a state in the past.